KZN Premier Ntuli blames illegal guns for rise deadly shootings in province

DURBAN - The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has blamed illegal firearms for the rise in deadly shootings in the province.  
 
In recent months, KwaZulu-Natal has recorded a significant spike in gun-related violence and in some cases murders.  
 
Premier Thami Ntuli said that unlicensed firearms were commonly used by suspects when such crimes were committed.  
 
On Monday, he addressed law enforcement officers in Durban during a gender-based violence awareness campaign.

Ntuli said that deadly shootings were a great concern for law enforcement authorities in the province.  
 
"We are all concerned about the killing of people in KwaZulu-Natal, which are caused by illegal guns, which are all over."
 
He believes there are certain weapons that should never make it into communities, urging residents to take a strong stand against crime.  
 
"I think if we join hands, we will be able to fight this kind of crime." 
 
Last month, a family of eight was shot and killed while travelling in a bakkie in Ladysmith.  
 
In another case last week, three men travelling in a VIP protection-marked vehicle were shot and killed in uMthwalume, on the south coast.  
 
The premier said that this informed his decision to move the community safety and liaison department to his office, in order to work closely with law enforcement authorities.