KZN deputy mayor defended over dog-shooting incident

Mthonjaneni Mayor Sibonginkosi Biyela has blamed ‘cheap political games’ for the furore which broke out surrounding the shooting of a dog involving his Deputy Phumlani Ntombela, Zululand Observer reports.

Speaking at a community prayer day at Melmoth sport grounds last week, Biyela said the manner in which the shooting incident was reported, left much to be desired.

‘Even though this gathering is for prayer, I feel I need to clear the air about the video that has gone viral, implicating our Deputy Mayor.

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‘From where we stand as a municipality, any member of the council is presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a court of law. No case was opened against our Deputy Mayor, we believe this is purely political. We are against the killings of animals,’ he said.

The no-nonsense Biyela said he was mindful of the ANC ward 7 Councillor, Mthokozisi Mthembu, who he said had been reporting for duty, ‘under the pretext that he was sick’.

‘I have been to all local hospitals looking for him, but have not found him. It puzzles me why the media is paying little attention to that particular councillor.

‘It has been proved that he in fact was not sick, but behind bars following his arrest for stock theft in Mpumalanga.

‘Apart from shaming us, the community of ward 7 has been left stranded,’ Biyela said. said.

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