ABAHLALI Basemjondolo has sounded the alarm over political killings in Durban following the murder of two ANC members.
Mthokozisi Hlophe and Sbusiso Nguse, who both had links to the African National Congress were shot and killed last week in Cato Crest on the same night, within two hours of each other’s death respectively.
Abahlali said the alleged assassinations within the governing party in Durban has made the political field too dangerous for people to engage in.
“Our politics was always very different to that of Mhlophe. We have made very different choices. As time passed those differences became bigger. Our vision of the future is very different. However, no human being deserves to be killed like this. This brutality and impunity is just too much. Silence on this is too much. The world must know the truth about the ANC,” said Abahlali in a statement.
Captain Nqobile Gwala, KZN South African Police Service spokesperson confirmed both cases. On Nguse’s death, she said, “On 26 February at 7.30pm Cato Manor police received a complaint of murder at Cato Crest. On arrival at the scene they were shown the body of a 50-year-old man with gunshot wounds who was certified dead at the scene. A case of murder was opened at Cato Manor police station for investigation.”
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Nguse was a businessman and had ties to local and provincial ANC structures.
On the murder of Hlophe: “It is alleged that a 40-year-old man was at local bar in Cato Manor on 26 February 2020 at 9.30pm when he was fatally shot by unknown suspects. (Another) victim, who was also at the scene, sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for medical attention. The motive for the attack is unknown. Charges of murder and attempted murder were opened at Cato Manor police station for investigation,” she said.
The other victim referred to is Mhlophe’s 19-year-old son who was shot trying to defend his father. Abahlali said Mhlophe was shot 13 times.
Comment was sought from ANC KZN but they have yet to reply.
KZN has long been the hotbed of political killings. In 2016, KZN Premier, Willies Mchunu established the Moerane commission of inquiry to look into the matter of political killings in the province.
The commission recommended that local and provincial governments look at revising their tender procedures, depoliticising public service and investigating corruption as a means to curb the killings.
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