Albert Park councillor locked up (The Mercury)
Police say Albert Park ward councillor Vusi Khoza was arrested, apparently in connection with the robbery and assault of a man who lives in the area.He was arrested after it was alleged that he had accused a man of stealing a local woman's cellphone, according to police. The incident took place on Saturday, a day before locals attacked foreign nationals in the building.
Police spokesperson Vincent Mdunge said Khoza was arrested and detained at the Durban central police station. "Khoza has been implicated but not formally charged," he said. Within 48 hours he would have to be charged or released."It is alleged there was a conflict between two people and the councillor intervened and by his intervention he hit the alleged perpetrator and took money in the amount of R200 to reimburse the victim for the cellphone," said Mdunge.
On Thursday night Khoza was still in police custody. Earlier this week foreign nationals accused him of being instrumental in attacks against foreigners in the area. He has vehemently denied the accusations.
Two foreign nationals died at Africa House, a shelter in Dr Yusuf Dadoo (Broad) Street at the weekend, during an attack by a mob calling itself the community policing forum. Police said the two had been forced to jump from windows.
ANC regional secretary S'bu Sibiya said the party noted Khoza's arrest and that he should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. "As the ANC in the eThekwini region we will institute our own internal investigations."There was condemnation from opposition parties of Khoza's tactics as a political and public figure.DA caucus leader John Steenhuisen condemned Khoza's alleged actions, saying as a councillor he should set an example." As councillors we should rise above the fray and be involved in conflict resolution and not escalation."
IFP provincial chairperson Mhlonishwa Khawula echoed Steenhuisen's sentiments, saying it was unfortunate that since the attacks on foreign nationals, Khoza had been fingered for a role in the attacks.Tanzanian Community Forum chairperson Sarim Mwakalo said forum members were still angry that Khoza had not been arrested for his alleged involvement in the attacks.
Meanwhile the Durban Refugees Services Providers Network, which is affiliated to Lawyers for Human Rights, has called for an urgent meeting today with police and the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure they commit themselves to arresting all involved in the attacks.
Mdunge said arrests in the two cases of murder and one of attempted murder opened after the attacks on foreign nationals were imminent."Once the preliminary investigations have been concluded arrests will be made because we are aware who the perpetrators are."
Police spokesperson Vincent Mdunge said Khoza was arrested and detained at the Durban central police station. "Khoza has been implicated but not formally charged," he said. Within 48 hours he would have to be charged or released."It is alleged there was a conflict between two people and the councillor intervened and by his intervention he hit the alleged perpetrator and took money in the amount of R200 to reimburse the victim for the cellphone," said Mdunge.
On Thursday night Khoza was still in police custody. Earlier this week foreign nationals accused him of being instrumental in attacks against foreigners in the area. He has vehemently denied the accusations.
Two foreign nationals died at Africa House, a shelter in Dr Yusuf Dadoo (Broad) Street at the weekend, during an attack by a mob calling itself the community policing forum. Police said the two had been forced to jump from windows.
ANC regional secretary S'bu Sibiya said the party noted Khoza's arrest and that he should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. "As the ANC in the eThekwini region we will institute our own internal investigations."There was condemnation from opposition parties of Khoza's tactics as a political and public figure.DA caucus leader John Steenhuisen condemned Khoza's alleged actions, saying as a councillor he should set an example." As councillors we should rise above the fray and be involved in conflict resolution and not escalation."
IFP provincial chairperson Mhlonishwa Khawula echoed Steenhuisen's sentiments, saying it was unfortunate that since the attacks on foreign nationals, Khoza had been fingered for a role in the attacks.Tanzanian Community Forum chairperson Sarim Mwakalo said forum members were still angry that Khoza had not been arrested for his alleged involvement in the attacks.
Meanwhile the Durban Refugees Services Providers Network, which is affiliated to Lawyers for Human Rights, has called for an urgent meeting today with police and the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure they commit themselves to arresting all involved in the attacks.
Mdunge said arrests in the two cases of murder and one of attempted murder opened after the attacks on foreign nationals were imminent."Once the preliminary investigations have been concluded arrests will be made because we are aware who the perpetrators are."
By Ntokozo Mfusi