The DA in Mkhondo is deeply concerned about the horrendous trend of shooting and killing councillors.
This was said in a statement released on Monday January 16.
This follows after an ANC councillor, Sibonelo Ntshangase, was shot and killed in Thandakukhanye on Friday January 13. Ntshangase was shot with two other members of the ANC who also died.
Irene Brussow, the DA caucus leader in the Mkhondo Local Municipality, said, “In a space of two months, two councillors of Mkhondo Municipality have lost their lives in a similar manner. On November 4, Muzi Manyathi was also shot and killed.”
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“For a very long time the DA has been calling on the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to intervene in the municipality’s affairs. However, our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” Brussow said.
She said municipality is in a chaotic state – councillors are colluding with senior executives for employment, councillors are being sworn in privately, irregularities are the order of the day and service delivery is non-existent.
“The battle for power in this municipality is getting more untenable by the day. Too many families have lost their loved ones. MEC Mandla Msibi’s ignorance is alarming. How many lives must be lost before his department intervenes and instils orders in this municipality? The DA calls on the minister of police, Bheki Cele, to urgently introduce a task team to investigate these senseless killings.”
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Brussow said fear and anxiety are quickly spreading to other councillors now. “Unfortunately, this will have a ripple effect on the communities. The DA would like to express its condolences to the families of the deceased. We hope justice will be served.”
