An Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) member claims he was the target of the shooting that killed an African National Congress (ANC) volunteer in Lindelani on Wednesday night.
ANC volunteer Nuh Mhlongo (30) was shot and killed outside the Lindelani polling station minutes after it closed.
Mhlongo was standing near an information table when she was shot, in full view of other ANC members at the station.
IFP member Sthembiso Xulu believes he narrowly escaped with his life.
“I just want people to know that it was not an IFP member who murdered the ANC volunteer. It was one of the ANC members who was shooting at me. He missed and unfortunately an innocent women was killed” saidXulu.
The shooting has brought ongoing political tensions between Lindelani, a notorious IFP stronghold and ANC-governed Shakaville, to the fore. The two areas are separated by a single link road. At least 500 people were killed in bloody political violence after the first democratic elections in 1994. In 1997 violence between Lindelani and Shakaville flared up once again.
IFP regional chair person Msawenkosi Ngidi, said no one had reported the incident to them. “As IFP we are not aware of any conflict between the ANC and IFP. We take this matter as a personal matter. The only thing we say is that the law must take it course,” said Ngidi.
KZN police communications officer Capt Thulani Zwane said a murder investigation was underway.
“We have not confirmed whether it was done intentionally. However if someone has valuable information about this incident he must inform the police,” said Zwane.
A suspect was taken for questioning on Thursday afternoon.
