Police are fighting a surge in organised crime ranging from drug-related murders to fraud and vehicle theft, according to Umhlali Saps station commander Colonel Fikile Xulu.

Speaking at the Ballito Neighbourhood Watch AGM last Wednesday, Xulu said recent murder cases have been concentrated in Sector Two, which includes Shaka’s Head, Shakaskraal, Nkobongo and Shayamoya.

“Most of these murders are emanating from drugs. Criminals are fighting for territories,” said Xulu.

Police have identified several suspected drug kingpins believed to be driving the violence. Many, however, do not live within the Umhlali policing area and travel into the townships to conduct their operations.

Murder statistics presented at the meeting show fluctuations in recent years. The station recorded 73 murders in 2021, 64 in 2022 and 54 in 2023. The number dropped to 43 in 2024 before rising again to 55 in the current reporting year. Umhlali Saps statistics run from April to March annually.

Most recently, on March 2 the Democratic Alliance deputy branch chairperson in Shayamoya was shot and killed in front of his pregnant wife. The case remains under investigation.

Police are also dealing with a sharp rise in fraud cases, with more than 400 incidents reported since April last year, said Umhlali Saps spokesperson Makhosi Khumalo.

Scammers are using several tactics, including cloning banking apps, online shopping scams and impersonating police officers.

In one case, a Ballito resident discovered four cellphone contracts had been taken out in his name and only realised after paying R1 600 over two months. Another victim from Shaka’s Head lost more than R5 000 after a caller posing as a bank employee convinced her to approve a one-time password, giving the fraudster access to her banking app.

Khumalo also warned residents about a man impersonating a police officer and asking for donations for charity activities.

Vehicle theft is another growing concern. Xulu said certain models, including Toyotas, Hyundai Venues, Nissan Magnites and Ford Rangers, are frequently targeted, with criminals often monitoring restaurants, churches and markets where vehicles are left unattended.

Last week a 61-year-old Salt Rock woman was robbed in her home by two masked men who tied her up with cellphone charging cables before stealing her white Toyota Fortuner, laptop and iPhone. The vehicle was later recovered in Durban after a tracking company alerted authorities.

Despite the challenges, cooperation between police and private security companies has helped recover several stolen vehicles, with some suspects arrested following rapid-response operations.

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