Canaan Mdletshe

A special meeting has been called at Redcliffe, in Verulam near Durban, after residents went on the rampage on Tuesday and set alight six shacks belonging to members of the community policing forum.

Armed with traditional weapons, the dwellers of the informal settlement at Redcliffe set alight the shacks, accusing the CPF members of running a "kangaroo court".

Three CPF members were taken to hospital. Senior member Sibongiseni Dimane is still in critical condition at Durban's Addington Hospital after being severely assaulted.

The settlement's residents were were angered after some CPF members allegedly abused their power by assaulting residents and demanding money for minor offences.

Yesterday, the situation was calm but tense as residents were still searching for some members who had fled their homes after the disturbances. Men are reported to have patrolled throughout the night and would continue to do so until the situation was back to normal.

Victoria Nobechu, chairman of the ward and the development committee, told Sowetan yesterday a special meeting had been called for Saturday to try and resolve the matter.