Tributes pour in for assassinated Councillor

Shock has greeted the news of the assassination-style murder on Friday night of Estcourt IFP Councillor, Mthembeni Majola.

Estcourt SAPS reported that Councillor Majola (39) died in a ‘hail of bullets’ and two others were injured near the Estcourt Hospital at about 8pm on Friday. Gunmen, thought to be travelling in two vehicles, overtook the car Councillor Majola was travelling in over a set of speed humps and opened fire.

Councillor Majola was one of three men, including former Endumeni Mayor, Richard Mbatha, accused of plotting to murder former Endumeni Speaker, Bongiwe Mbatha-Makhathin, over a security tender wrangle.

The third accused is the alleged hitman, Xolani Makhathini. The trio was arrested in May last year and the case has dragged on since.

The case was due to start again in November.

In his reaction to the murder of Councillor Majola, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, said:

“It is unacceptable that yet another life of a public representative has been snuffed out through the barrel of a gun. As the sphere of local government in the province, we are in shock as forces hell-bent on plunging this critical sphere into chaos continue their assault on this democratic institution.”

MEC Hlomuka has passed on heartfelt condolences to the family of Cllr Majola, as well as the community of Inkosi Langalibalele and the political home of the Councillor the Inkatha Freedom Party.
He had been serving as a councillor from 2011.

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IFP spokesman, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, said a delegation had yesterday visited Councillor Majola’s home at Esigodlweni, Estcourt, to convey the condolences of the IFP.

“In 2010, Councillor Majola was ambushed in an assassination attempt and while he survived, left him wheelchair-bound.

“Councillor Majola served previously as the IFP Secretary in the erstwhile Mtshezi Constituency, and when the IFP was riddled with internal ructions Cllr Majola served as the Chairperson of the Interim Structure that was tasked with the revival of the Party in Mtshezi,” said Mr Hlengwa

“In all roles of deployment by the Party Comrade Mthembeni Majola served with distinction and commitment. He was a hard worker who loved the people he served and was loyal to the IFP, his political home.

“The IFP remains very concerned at the relentless killings of councillors in particular in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.

“We condemn these killings in the strongest possible terms. The IFP trusts that the law enforcement agencies will work tirelessly to investigate this matter and bring these evil forces of darkness to book.

“The IFP calls on all those who may information to come forward and assist the SAPS in their investigation.”

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