Operation Hlasela was successfully launched on the 17/02/11, at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in uMlazi, with all speakers unanimously agreeing that crime was a problem that needed to be rooted out from society. eThekwini Mayor, Cllr Obed Mlaba, thanked the hundreds of people who had participated in the marches from ComTech and Executive Hotel, simultaneously. He urged citizens to stand up and be united in the fight against crime.

He encouraged parents not to be afraid to discipline their children. As government, we are not against parents disciplining children in order for them to know right from wrong. We just do not want children to be abused. However, if a parent feels that the child is getting out of hand, then disciplinary action needs to happen, he said.Chairman for the Health, Security and Social Services Cluster, Cllr Nomvuzo Shabalala, explained to the residents of uMlazi and surrounding areas that Operation Hlasela was an initiative that was aimed at involving the community and all relevant stakeholders in the fight against crime.

She said that the government was willing to assist and support anybody who wanted to involve themselves with such an important initiative. She urged parents to play a role in ensuring that their children did not involve themselves in criminal activities. When you know that your child is involved in such activities, do not protect them from the police. Report them so that they can be dealt with lawfully. KZN Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Willies Mchunu, emphasised that crime was a problem that affected everybody. He urged people to report all kinds of crime because if you have not been a victim yet, then your turn is still coming.

He promised the community that Community Policing Forums would be strengthened in uMlazi so that people could have peaceful nights without having to worry about who could break into their homes while they slept.Cllr Mlaba and MEC Mchunu also officially opened the uMlazi Metro Police Station. Mchunu said that, because uMlazi was known for its high crime rate, the station would play a significant role in rooting out those criminals and keeping the community safe.

For more information call the Head of Safer Cities, Mr Martin Xaba on 031 311 4455 or email: XabaMartin@durban.gov.za