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Crime and Corruption: KZN Premier Calls for Unity in South Africa’s Fight
A message from the heart of KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has placed crime and corruption at the centre of South Africa’s challenges, urging citizens and leaders alike to act collectively to turn the tide. Speaking at the commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons in Umdoni, Ntuli framed the problem not as a government-alone issue but as a shared responsibility.
“We must work together to fix our province. To fix those challenges that we’re faced with as a country,” he told the gathering, stressing that partnerships are essential to restoring both safety and trust.
Building a government of collaboration
Ntuli pointed to the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) as an example of how collaboration can work. While it is led by the ruling party, the opposition is not shut out. Instead, they form part of the governance process, offering alternative views and pushing for constructive solutions.
“They are part of the journey. They oppose constructively, and they share their alternative views on the ways in which we can do things better in the province,” Ntuli said.
This approach reflects a larger vision of governance that does not dismiss dissent but integrates it, aiming to build a province that is both accountable and transparent.
The twin obstacles: crime and corruption
Ntuli did not mince words in identifying South Africa’s two biggest hurdles: crime and corruption. “If we can end crime and corruption in our country, the future of this country is certain,” he emphasised.
The message is stark but clear. Investors will not place confidence in a country where syndicates thrive and corruption undermines institutions. At the same time, communities cannot feel secure while violence and criminal networks dominate daily headlines.
Protecting whistleblowers
A notable point in Ntuli’s address was the protection of whistleblowers. “As a government, we have a duty to protect whistleblowers. No whistleblower will be prosecuted for reporting corruption. All whistleblowers are protected because we need brave men and women who will stand for the truth,” he said.
This pledge comes at a time when South Africa has seen whistleblowers face intimidation, isolation and even death. His words resonate with a national frustration that those who expose corruption often become targets rather than heroes.
A wider storm: the Madlanga Commission
Ntuli’s comments arrive against the backdrop of the high-profile Madlanga Commission, launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The inquiry is investigating claims that organised crime has infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures.
Explosive testimony has already included allegations of interference by the police minister, collusion with business figures, and even links between a Gauteng drug cartel and political insiders. The commission, chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is tasked with probing the role of senior officials and whether they ignored intelligence, enabled criminal networks, or personally profited from the chaos.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo are among the top figures who have already given testimony.
Why this matters now
South Africans have long felt the daily cost of crime and corruption, from businesses pulling out of local markets to communities living in fear. Ntuli’s call for unity taps into this shared frustration but also suggests a path forward: one where government, opposition, civil society and ordinary citizens work side by side.
It is not the first time leaders have promised reform, but the timing, with the Madlanga Commission laying bare the depth of state infiltration, makes Ntuli’s words feel sharper and more urgent. His message was both a rallying cry and a reminder that the fight is far from over.
Also read: Gauteng school meal delays spark fears of hunger for thousands of pupils
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Central News
