KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli, has undertaken to strengthen the provincial crime intelligence unit to help curb violent service delivery protests.

Ntuli met with the King Cetshwayo District Municipality leadership on Thursday to discuss the protests which threaten to derail water supply in the region.

ALSO READ: Protests cause serious water delivery disruptions

The meeting came in the wake of recent community protests and damage to infrastructure, which disrupted water supply in some local municipalities.

The municipal leadership revealed the protests were caused by disgruntled employees of the water service provider whose contract expired at the end of last month; a notion denied by the said service provider.

State entity Umgeni Water has been drafted in to render water support services while the municipality develops its internal capacity.

Ntuli said government would take the necessary steps to ensure that law and order is maintained.

‘Vandalism and destruction of property are acts of criminality, which will not be tolerated.

‘We will not allow the community to be deprived of essential services such as water because of a few individuals.

‘The authority of the state cannot be disrespected, irrespective of the issues being raised,’ Ntuli said.

He promised the police would increase patrols at key points throughout the district.

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