Mpumalanga police hunt those responsible for killing two and injuring one
Sindela Sipho Lubisi and Dingane Ngwenya were killed, and Sfiso Mpila was wounded.
They were travelling in a VW Polo in the Coyotes Shisanyama vicinity, and ambushed by armed in what is being deemed political warfare within itself, three ANC members were gunned down while a list conference was being held on Sunday.
Sindela Sipho Lubisi and Dingane Ngwenya were killed, and Sfiso Mpila was wounded.
They were ambushed by armed suspects driving in a blue double-cab bakkie at 21:00.
The incident followed a dispute at an ANC list conference that was taking place at Nutting House Lodge just outside Mbombela.
A number of branches have held their elections in the past few weeks, which led to intimidation in Tekwane North, Barberton and Mahushu, and unrest in some areas.
A Ward 45 (Umjindi) councillor, Lifa Blessing Nkosi, said the clashes within the ruling party led to the incident.
“We all want power, but it is not a good thing that people must die because of this,” he said.
Nkosi alleged that the attack on his comrades was a failed hit on him.
“Upon arrival at Nutting House we were approached by unknown men. I had seen them at the Mbombela Civic Centre earlier that day where they threatened to kill me if I proceeded with the election process, but I did not know what to do at the time. A man came towards my window and started banging on it. The driver said he heard the man cocking a gun and he sped off towards Mbombela.
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They chased us in their vehicle. A few metres before we joined the N4, the gunman opened fire. As we were driving, we alerted our friends, who were also on their way to the conference, to avoid the area. They then joined us on the road instead and we drove together to Sonpark.
“On arrival we discussed the incident. I got into another car and we went back to the conference. The three other occupants who were with me, went to the police station to report the incident.
“Upon arrival, I received a phone call telling me that some of my comrades who had gone to the police station had been shot and killed in an ambush in the street outside Coyotes Shisanyama.
“When we got to the scene I found two of them on the road, while the other was transferred to a nearby hospital. There were bullet cartridges everywhere and the car was damaged.
“One of them had been shot in the head. From my view, it appears as if they were shot while trying to run away. We waited until the families arrived. The police were there and they were doing their work,”
he said.
Nkosi said he currently lives in fear of these unknown men. Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, the acting provincial secretary of the ANC in Mpumalanga, said, “We cannot account for the incident as it didn’t happen at the conference. Therefore we cannot comment on the shooting.”
The Coyotes Shisanyama management was approached for comment; but did not provide any, as, according to it, the shooting had not occurred inside its establishment.
According to a police statement, the suspects fled the scene and no arrests have been made.
The police urge anyone who may assist with the investigation to contact the branch commander, Col Ernest Maoka, on 082 318 9843 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can send information via the My SAPS app.
All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
