By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has called for police in other provinces to investigate the ongoing political killings in Mpumalanga.
Mbalula made the comments during a visit to the Mkhondo Local Municipality on Wednesday, where ANC councillor Sbonelo Mthembu Ntshangase and two others were shot and killed last Friday.
Ntshangase’s killing comes shortly after the murder of Mkhondo PR councillor Muzi Manyathi, who was gunned down at a fuel station in Piet Retief in November last year.
“We were talking to our structures and talking to our communities that there will never be lawlessness tolerated and the terrorising of communities and political killings will be nipped in the bud,” he said.
“I think that is the spirit going forward that this political killings will be ended by apprehending the kingpins, the real guys who plan these killings. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the killing of innocent people by cowards and criminals who have infiltrated our organisation.”
Mbalula said councillors were at the coalface of service delivery, and they should be appreciated for their work and not be victims of violence.
He said councillors from across the political spectrum worked hard and often responded to matters outside their scope that were raised by communities, and should be thanked for their service instead of becoming victims of violence.
“We, therefore, mourn the loss of those violently taken from us,” said Mbalula.
Former Mkhondo mayor, Vusi Motha, and local security company boss, Sifiso Sangweni, have since been arrested in connection with the murders.
The pair were arrested on Tuesday and made their first appearance in the Mkhondo Magistrate’s Court. Motha has been charged with illegally possessing an unlicensed firearm, while Sangweni allegedly breached the Private Security Regulations Act and the Firearms Control Act.