By Heinz de Boer

Vandalised street name signs and the word "murderer" spray-painted on the walls of the KwaMuhle Museum where an exhibition of Andrew Zondo is being held will not be removed in the hope that people learn from the past.

Deputy mayor Logie Naidoo said the "murderer" slogan could be a point of debate and reconciliation.

Zondo was hanged after he was found guilty of bombing the Amanzimtoti Sanlam Shopping Centre in 1985 were five people were killed and nine injured.

The vandalism of Durban's new street signs could be seen in the same way, and will not be removed in the near future, said Naidoo.

"Even the street names that have been spray painted have been left on. Maybe we should leave the signs there, and the spray paint to help educate people about our past.

"For many, Zondo was a hero. We hope that people will learn about our history or the deep divisions will continue," Naidoo said.

"It is disappointing from a point of reconciliation. I think that black people have largely forgiven and stretched out the hand of friendship. Will the same people (who spray painted the word) call Eugene de Kok or Wouter Basson a murderer?"

City manager Michael Sutcliffe's response was less reconciliatory.

He said those responsible for vandalising signs and painting the outer wall of the museum were clinging to South Africa's apartheid past.

"There are still huge elements of society that live in the apartheid past, and the vandalism of the street signs (and museum) is indicative of those who are not willing to accept a democratic South Africa and a new reality," Sutcliffe said.

Sutcliffe said the Zondo exhibition was meant to help people understand why he took up arms.

He said Zondo planted the bomb because of provocation by the apartheid government, which had killed thousands of people both directly through violence, and indirectly through poverty.

DA councillor John Steenhuisen said many Amanzimtoti residents were still angry about the bombing.

The Zondo exhibition was one sided, and did not reflect the whole story, he said. The fact that Zondo had also chosen to bomb a public building had heightened anger.

The bombing formed part of Operation Butterfly, Umkhonto weSizwe's greater plan to strengthen Durban's underground network and step up military operations. Between April and December 1985, MK planted 12 explosive devices through the greater Durban region.

Targeted

A school, post offices, bank, beachfront restaurant and magistrate's court were among the public facilities targeted in the explosions.

"What has disturbed me is that the exhibition is very one sided.

If we really want to open dialogue then they should present both sides of the story.

"The bomb caused a lot of hurt and remains an extremely sore issue for people, especially those in Amanzimtoti.

"He did not attack installations of the apartheid regime but public targets and people who were not necessarily supporters of the National Party. It is in the ANC's interest to portray Zondo as a sanctified hero," Steenhuisen said.

Dear Members,

Everyone is so busy at this time so I hopefully will be able to make this short and sweet.

This office will be closed tomorrow the 12th of December as I have the pleasure of attending my parent's in law's surprise  50th Wedding Anniversary party.

However I shall be back on Monday and the office will close for the year on Friday 19th December. So if you have any admin queries please contact me before then.

Emergencies will still be reported to 083 393 5066

Please all those paying CCPO contributions by any method other than Debit order, please ensure you make the payments as agreed to in your contract. To the rest of the members on Debit Order, Make sure that on the 2nd of January your contribution is in the bank as the debit order will run as usual.

The guards are doing a fantastic job in working together to apprehend suspects and our arrest rate has been great.  We'd like to introduce a "rewards" system where the guards involved in the successful arrest of suspects such as the "Almera Gang" recently nabbed, would be rewarded in some way.  This would go a long way in keeping them motivated and positive.  So, if there is anyone out there who could assist in contributing toward our "rewards", please could you contact us at the office?  Perhaps you have excess stock of something that we could keep in the office to put together a small hamper of some sort?

Please feel free to offer the patrolling guards cold water or cold drink as they pass your way, these days are terribly hot (when it's not raining!) and I for one would not like to be in their shoes.

The crime reports continue to be issued regularly, so thank you to Michelle and Omkar of Blue Security.

To the CCPO Committee Richard, George, George, John. Marc, Quinton, and Cindy who put in hundreds of hours over the year towards this community organisation, a Big thank you, and hope you get to rest over this Festive Season.

To those in Operations, Les, Wayne, and Charles of the CCPO, the entire Amanzimtoti owes you gentlemen a Great Big Thank you, for your diligent approach to your work, in protecting the residents of Amanzimtoti. I know you will be working or on call over this festive season so keep your heads down and look after yourselves.

To the Blue Supervisors Roshen, Ravon, and Sizwe as well as their supporting team SB3 positions thank you for your dedication to your jobs.

To Yvonne on the road thank you for your many hours you put into promoting the CCPO and your sidekick Ken who sits at Seadoone diligently on a Friday morning waiting for new members to sign up, or to give replies to questions asked.

A special thank you goes out to those people and Businesses who act as depot's for the CCPO

Thank you  to Cathy of Cathlone's Bistro -Athlone Park

                 To Liv of Post Net                  -CBD

                 To Dawn of Verimark             -Winklespruit

                 To Leanne of A1 Seconds    -Doonside

                 To Debbie of Seadoone Mall  

These people are of such value to us and do not get much mention, thank you for your assistance.

To the Security companies that deal with us Securi Serv, Blue Security and Security International, thank you for the effort you have made to accommodate our needs.

Also going out today will be the Businesses on Board list with the newest members.

Until next year then have a fantastic festive season, remembering to stay vigilant and safe at all times. Don't drink and Drive and I'll see you next year.

Regards
Tracy

Good work by Les, Wayne, George and a number of the guards led to the arrest of two members of the white Almera gang that has been breaking into houses in the Toti Area. The car was spotted going into St Winifred's. Wayne and two guards went in to find them and came across the two suspects in Wessex Drive carrying a safe. After biting one of the guards and attempting to stab Wayne with a screwdriver the men fled into the bush in the direction of the freeway. The area was saturated with CCPO guards, and SAPS and Metro where called to assist. A short while later the two were spotted running behind the Spar where they were surrounded and arrested. One safe was recovered with contents still intact. One of the suspects had been arrested by CCPO earlier this year for house robbery in the area and deported.