EFF councillor candidate shot and killed in PMB

An aspiring Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) ward councillor candidate was shot and killed in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday.

Michael Thulani Shangase was gunned down in the Herwood area, in Caluza, after returning from an EFF campaign meeting.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said the motive for the killing was not clear and police were on the hunt for suspects.

“We have mobilised the 72-hour activation plan which entails the mobilisation of specialised units such as Crime Intelligence, the KwaZulu-Natal political task team, detectives and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation [the Hawks] to ensure that evidence, intelligence and information, which can help track and arrest those responsible, is gathered,” Naicker said in a statement.

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EFF Umgungundlovu region chairperson Mzwakhe Mpuloto confirmed to The Witness that Shangase was the party’s candidate for ward 20 in the Msunduzi Local Municipality.

“We know that there is a lot of political intolerance in the Edendale area, but for now we don’t know if this is politically-related,” Mpuloto was quoted as saying.

In the meantime, police have appealed to anyone with information to contact CrimeStop on 086-00-10111 or their nearest police station.

“Informers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated with the strictest confidence,” Naicker said.