By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) deputy chief whip in parliament, Petros Sithole, was shot dead on Saturday night in Katlehong, East of Johannesburg.
“It is with utter grief that the IFP announces the untimely passing of honorable Khethamabala Petros Sithole, 68, who was assassinated in Katlehong this evening by unknown assailants. “the party’s spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said in a statement.
Details surrounding the incident remain unclear, but the IFP has urged law enforcement to act swiftly and decisively.
“It is the IFP’s expectation that law enforcement agencies will spare no effort to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice,” Hlengwa added.
Sithole joined the IFP in his youth and held several senior roles within the party, including serving as the Gauteng Provincial Chairperson.
He was previously a councillor in Ekurhuleni and briefly served in the Gauteng Legislature from 2009 to 2010 before being redeployed to the National Assembly, where he had served to date.
The IFP extended its deepest condolences to the Sithole family.
The party was founded by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, is led by Velenkosini Hlabisa, who also serves as the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU).