Sakhisizwe Progressive Movement president, Mr Sibusiso Hlolweni, said people should vote for the late Mr Sputnik van der Merwe because he is still a councillor candidate for his party.
This saw many people criticise Mr Hlolweni for what he wrote on his Facebook page about the late Mr Van der Merwe.
In the post of Mr Van der Merwe’s face was written “1000 votes for each bullet”.
Some Facebook users accused Mr Hlolweni of equating votes to bullets and riding on the death of Mr Van der Merwe.
Some said they thought Mr Hlolweni had been a credible leader but they are now doubting him.
When responding to them, Mr Hlolweni, said it is a decision of his party.
He said the post was a decision made by SAPROMO.
Mr Hlolweni continued by saying sometimes a party will take decisions with which people do not agree, but it will remain his party position.
Mr Van der Merwe was shot and later died at Bethal Hospital on Wednesday, September 22.
Its alleged that Mr Van der Merwe (63) was washing his car at his home when an unknown man came up to him and shot him.
The suspects then jumped into a white bakkie and sped away.
Mr Van der Merwe was rushed to hospital where he died.
Sgt Cythia Mtsweni, eMzinoni Police spokesperson, said the suspect in Mr Van der Merwe’s murder case was arrested and will appear before court soon.
The newspaper contacted Mr Hlolweni about the late Mr Van der Merwe being his party’s councillor candidate for Ward 7, eMzinoni in the coming local government election.
Mr Hlolweni said the Independent Electoral Commission agreed on condition that if SAPROMO wins that ward where the late Mr Van der Merwe is a candidate, they will call for a by-election.
