Recently, unknown attackers accosted and shot a social worker in KwaDambuza, Pietermaritzburg.
This act was done in what seems to be part of a spate of hijackings of state-owned vehicles in KwaZulu-Natal.
On Tuesday, another social worker was hijacked on Edendale Road while on his way to uMkhanyakude district.
This consistent attacks mostly on the social development department is alarming and the IFP expressed concern at the increased theft of vehicles.
IFP spokesperson for social development, Les Govender said:
“The KZN government loses millions of rand every year — meant for service delivery for the poor — replacing state vehicles that are being targeted by crime syndicates, in areas such as the uMgungundlovu and Indwedwe.”
“A total of 53 state-owned vehicles from the department of social development are yet to be recovered after being hijacked between 2017 and 2020.”
He indicated that 21 vehicles were recovered in the same period but most of them were in bad conditions.
Luckily, no lives were lost in the incidents.
Eight department of agriculture vehicles were stolen during a robbery in Ndwedwe local municipality in February.
Govender revealed that in the past two years, the department had spent nearly R14m to replace more than 23 vehicles that have allegedly been hijacked or stolen.
“Apart from the financial losses, the IFP is very concerned about the safety and wellbeing of the social workers and emergency response personnel who are required to render essential services within communities across the province,” said Govender.
The party called on law-enforcement officials to ensure those behind the thefts face the law.
“We urge the department of community safety and liaison to intensify investigations to crack the syndicate targeting government vehicles.”
“Investigations into all these cases must also be extended both internally and externally. This hampers service delivery and should be dealt with harshly,” he added.
