Brutal Attack on Community Patrollers Near Qumbu

Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly condemns the horrific and senseless ambush that claimed the lives of six community patrollers and left four others wounded at Lugongozo Junior Secondary School near Qumbu on Sunday night.

These dedicated individuals, who were selflessly working to protect their communities, became the latest victims of the unrelenting violence that continues to plague our province.

We call on the Eastern Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheli Mene, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to urgently mobilise all available resources to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.

The brutal attack on those who have stepped forward to assist in ensuring the safety of their neighbourhoods cannot go unanswered. The people of Qumbu and surrounding areas are living in fear as violent crime rates continue to soar.

This incident, the brutal massacre in Lusikisiki that claimed 18 lives, not to mention the increasingly violent attacks on tourists and residents alike, underscores the province’s escalating safety crisis.

The reality is that our communities feel abandoned, with limited visible policing and inadequate resources to combat this scourge.

The DA has requested that escalating violence across the province be debated as a matter of public importance in the Legislature later this month.

One of the key challenges we face is the significant budget shortfall for the Department of Community Safety, which has been allocated a mere R144.84 million—just 0.15% of the total provincial budget.

This lack of funding severely hampers our ability to invest in necessary resources. The DA strongly believes that modern technology must play a central role in our fight against crime.

The DA will continue to push for urgent interventions and ensure that the safety of the people of the Eastern Cape is prioritised. Our citizens deserve better, and we will not rest until meaningful steps are taken to address the violence that threatens our way of life.

We appeal to community members with any information that could assist in this investigation to come forward. Criminals must not be allowed to terrorise our communities without consequence, and it is only through collective action that we can begin to restore peace and security.

The DA extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in this senseless act of violence. We also wish the injured a full and speedy recovery.

Regards

Yusuf Cassim MPL
DA Shadow MEC for Community Safety