M 10 ANC members have been killed in KZN in the build-up to the local government elections.
The irony is that the latest victims were killed on Nelson Mandela Day!
Candidate councillors Khanyisile Ngobese-Sibisi (40) and Bongani Sikhosana (41) were killed a few hours apart.
Bongani was shot dead at about 6am, in front of his three kids who were in the car, as he opened the garage door of his home in Harding, in southern KZN.
A man emerged from the side of the house and pumped a hail of bullets in Bongani’s direction before fleeing the scene on foot.
Khanyisile, who was the ANC Women’s League secretary in the Alfred Duma region, was gunned down by unknown men in a drive-by shooting at Centenary Road in Acaciavale.
She was on her way to a Mandela Day event she had organised in Ladysmith.
Regional secretary Sipho Hlomuka said Khanyisile was on her way to donate blankets to gogos in her ward.
“We heard there was a car following her.”
The latest deaths of the two candidate councillors brings to 10 the number of people killed in KwaZulu-Natal alone since May.
- Thami Nyembe from Nongoma was shot while transporting his wife to town last month.
- Zodwa Sibiya of Glebelands Hostel in Umlazi was killed in May.
- Thembi Mbongo was gunned down at her Newcastle home last month.
Apart from the five councillor candidates, five ANC members were also killed.
- Badedile Tshapa (56) and Phetheni Ngubane (50) were on their way home from a party meeting when they were shot dead last month.
Badedile died on the scene while Phetheni died in hospital.
A 40-year-old suspect and two other men were arrested. Charges were later dropped against the two men due to lack of evidence. The 40-year-old suspect was released on R10 000 bail.
- Simo Mncwabe, ANC leader in Mpofana, outside Pietermaritzburg, was killed last month.
- Wandile “Mangqasha” Ngubeni, ANC Youth League secretary in the Emalahleni region, was killed early last month in Newcastle.
- Nathi Hlongwa, ANC branch leader in Georgedale, was also killed last month.
ANC KZN secretary Super Zuma has appealed to the premier to form a commission of inquiry into the deaths so that a thorough investigation can be done.
“We don’t only want the hitmen behind bars but also those behind them,” he said.
KZN IEC spokesman Mawethu Mosery said the dead candidates would remain on the ballot paper.
“The ballot papers have already been printed. They will be voted for and if they win, a by-election will be held where new names will be raised.”
KZN Hawks spokesman Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said a case of murder for Khanyisile’s death has been opened.
In almost all these instances of killings, no one has been arrested.
