Three suspects have been called in for questioning after nine bodies were discovered in the Kempton Park and Ekurhuleni areas in two months.
This was revealed by the acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia while speaking to journalists following a media briefing by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)on Sunday.
Cachalia further added that Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo and Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have been called up to assist with the Ekurhuleni murder investigations.
“I indicated earlier in the week that we had set up a multidisciplinary team, headed by a provincial, a deputy provincial commissioner. That team has subsequently been strengthened. It’s now headed by Lieutenant General Sentamule, who’s a lieutenant general, part of the national leadership. She’s being assisted by General Khumalo, Head of Crime Intelligence, as well as General Mkhwanazi,” he said.
The minister also confirmed increased police deployments in parts of Ekurhuleni, including KwaThema, Nigel and Dawn Park, following the decision to place the areas under lockdown.
“The community in Ekurhuleni needs to understand that their safety is our priority, and that we are deploying these resources to assure the community that their safety is a priority, as well as our commitment to bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to book,” he said.
During the briefing, the IMC said the Department of Social Development has commenced providing psycho-social support to the families of the identified victims in line with the families’ needs.
“The IMC calls on members of the public to allow the police the necessary space to conduct a thorough investigation. Communities are urged not to circulate unverified information, graphic material or speculation that could cause further distress to the affected families or compromise the investigation,” said the IMC,
In addition, the committee said the City of Ekurhuleni will intensify grass cutting and debushing of open spaces and clearing of illegal dumping sites.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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