Two KwaNdengezi ANC councillors are still reporting for duty despite murder charges for allegedly killing a civil rights activist.
Thuli Ndlovu, chairwoman of Abahlali baseMjondolo’s KwaNdengezi branch, was gunned down at her home in September last year.
The councillor for KwaNdengezi, which is near Pinetown, Mduduzi Ngcobo, and proportional representative councillor, Velile Lutsheku, were arrested in connection with the murder in February. They were later released on R10 000 bail each. The other person accused of the murder, Mlungisi Siphesihle Ndlovu, was alleged to be the triggerman.
The men have not pleaded yet and are due to appear for trial late in August.
Provincial ANC secretary Sihle Zikalala, has been reported as saying Ngcobo and Lutsheku had been suspended from the party after being arrested. Yet council speaker, Logie Naidoo, refuses to suspend the two councillors.
“It is still an allegation. Our position is that, until the court decides on the matter, until the judgement, we won’t act. The council has not taken a decision. Such a decision would have to come through as a recommendation in full council and council would make a determination,” Naidoo said.
According to the high court indictment, “Ndlovu and her supporters demanded that reconstruction and development programme houses be allocated to Thokoza residents before people from other areas were considered. This was not accepted by Ngcobo and Lutsheku.”
It was alleged they procured the ‘hitman’ for R15 000.
