Five people‚ including an ANC councillor candidate‚ killed in suspected politically-motivated violence in KZN

Thembi Mbongo‚ 35‚ a candidate for ward six outside Osizweni in the Newcastle region‚ was shot dead in her home in front of her husband and children on Saturday night. She was shot by two unknown men who had knocked at her door requesting to speak to her.


Four other people were killed in KwaNdaba‚ Maphumulo in an incident believed to be linked to faction-fighting‚ according to Kwazulu-Natal MEC for Transport‚ Community Safety and Liaison Mxolisi Kaunda.

“Details of these killings are still unclear but police have been directed to work around the clock to ensure that those responsible are found and brought to book immediately‚” Kaunda said.

“We strongly condemned these incidents. We are all working for a peaceful KwaZulu-Natal but these killings undermine our work. I am also concerned at the increased incidents of the murder of those who have agreed to stand up as representatives of the community in the forthcoming elections.

“We find these totally unacceptable as it undermines our democratic processes. We urge all people of the province to resolve their differences through peaceful means and avoid letting these conflicts turn into violence‚” Kaunda said.

ANC Provincial Secretary Super Zuma condemned Mbongo’s killing‚ describing it as an act of corwardness. He added that the ANC was deeply concerned at the killing of its ward candidates as the local government elections drew closer.

“The killing of Cde Mbongo comes less than two months after the killing of ANCYL Deputy Regional Chairperson Cde Wandile Ngubeni who was gunned down in eMadadeni Township.

“We believe that there is an orchestrated campaign to derail the ANC from an overwhelming victory in the Newcastle area and Amajuba District as a whole. We are calling upon police to leave no stone unturned in apprehending the killers of Cde Thembi.

“We are also appealing to police‚ to act swiftly to conclude the investigations of both cases so as to help ensure peace and stability in this area as we move closer to the local government elections. We are also appealing for our members to remain calm and to allow police to conclude their investigations‚” Zuma said.


Source: timeslive