Diepsloot, Bantu Holomisa, Cyril Ramaphosa, UDM, President, multi-party committee, protests, Gauteng

The UDM has requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa form a multi-party committee to address issues in townships. Photo: GCIS / Flickr

UDM wants Ramaphosa to form committee to restore peace in townships

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has written to Ramaphosa asking for a multi-party committee to address township issues.

Diepsloot, Bantu Holomisa, Cyril Ramaphosa, UDM, President, multi-party committee, protests, Gauteng

The UDM has requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa form a multi-party committee to address issues in townships. Photo: GCIS / Flickr

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The UDM is requesting that the president forms a multi-party committee. The intention of the committee is to help restore peace to townships.

UDM’s request follows days of protests

The party also wants the committee to protect South Africa’s sovereignty. The UDM’s request follows recent protests in Diepsloot, Gauteng. Violent clashes between locals and foreign nationals have led to a spate of killings and arrests. 

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa stated that people in rural areas and townships have been neglected. 

“The people in the township and rural areas have been neglected. The state has failed completely. When you discuss the issue of immigration and so on, we need to sit down and look at which role must be played in this instance? It is where you need the summit of SADC (Southern African Development Community) to say let us cooperate.”

Bheki Cele to visit community

Minister of Police Bheki Cele is expected to visit Diepsloot for the third time. Cele is expected to address the alleged murders that have taken place in Diepsloot over the weekend.

This allegedly ended in the burning and stoning of Zimbabwean native Elvis Nyathi on Wednesday, 6 April, evening. Cele has promised to ensure police presence in the area, reports SABC News.

He assured community members that more SAPS vehicles and top detectives will be deployed to deal with the rampant crime.

Diepsloot: Sting operation results in arrests of 27 undocumented migrants

The South African Police Services (SAPS) made a number of arrests in Diepsloot. According to the SAPS, 27 undocumented migrants were nabbed during an overnight sting operation. The sting operation occurred on Thursday, 7 April.

These 27 arrests take the number of people who were apprehended over the past week to more than 50. SAPS are continuing to investigate the latest mob violence in the area where one man was killed.

Members of the Diepsloot community have been protesting. They are demanding that there be more police presence in the area due to rampant crime. Athlenda Mathe of the SAPS said the SAPS are pleading with community members to work with the SAPS. Read the full story here.