The Durban North Community Police Forum (CPF) has dispelled growing fears among residents regarding violent crime in the northern suburbs following two murders in recent weeks.
The incidents, which have shaken the community, were classified as premeditated attacks rather than random acts of violence.
On December 29, businessman Shailen Singh was killed while seated in his vehicle in a restaurant's parking lot in Meridian Drive in Umhlanga. Days later two brothers Ferrel and Darren Govender were arrested in connection with Singh's murder.
Last week Wednesday Jacob Khoaele, 53, was killed in a hail of bullets in La Lucia. Khoaele had been travelling in a Ford Ranger when he came under fire on Shelbourne Avenue at around 7.30pm. According to a police incident report, Khoaele sustained multiple gunshots to his head and upper body. A total of 18 cartridges were found on the scene.
However, Darryl Oliver, public relations officer for the Durban North CPF, has reassured the community, emphasising that these incidents do not indicate a resurgence of violent crime.
"The Durban North area has experienced two violent murders in the past month., but we would like to note that both murders have the markings of premeditated, targeted attacks and were not as a result of crimes gone wrong/escalating such as robbery or hijacking.
"Without diminishing from the severity of these two crimes, we would like to allay fears and concerns of residents of an increase in violent crime, as this is simply not the case. Crime stats for the last quarter indicate an overall decrease in contact crime, and other crimes such as household and business robbery and common robbery."
Oliver said some residents have voiced their concerns.
"The two recent murders were targeted and not just as a result of robberies. But the fact that it is happening is unacceptable and terrible.
"Our main crime that is of concern now is the reports of fraud. Cases in Durban North average about 20 cases a week. Most of the cases are as a result of people pretending to be from the bank. They are targeting the elderly," said Oliver.
The CPF has actively been raising awareness to protect vulnerable community members from falling prey to these deceptive practices.