TWO ANC councillors facing charges of murder – Mduduzi (Nqola) Christian Ngcobo and Luvelile Lutshelu – appeared in the Durban High on Monday, 1 February.
The two councillors were arrested and charged with the murder of Thuli Ndlovu, who was the Abahlali baseMjondolo, KwaNdengezi chairman and a senior leader member of the movement.
Ndlovu was shot seven times at her house in KwaNdengezi on 29 September last year.
Thembani Ngongoma, national spokesman of Abahlali baseMjondolo, said both suspects are councillors of the ruling party and they feel that the party has protected them despite these serious allegations.
“We were told that they are still working for the party and receiving their normal salaries. In recent weeks, we have witnessed a number of deaths in the taxi industry, especially in the KwaNdengezi area. Last week we witnessed the killing of ANC and SACP members in Inchanga as a result of a dispute over a councillor position as we head to the local government election.
“It is very worrying that when the two councillors appeared in the Durban High Court on Monday, 25 January, they were escorted by ANC members in ANC T-shirts.
Ngongoma said this shows that they enjoy party support even at this time when they face such serious charges.
Treasurer of the Henry Bona Zone, Nada Ngcobo, said they will continue supporting the councillors as they have not been found guilty by the court.
“The councillors will continue working as normal until the court found them guilty.”
Ngcobo said they do sympathise with the family of the deceased but this is a political issue where certain people want to further their own agendas and intentions.
The case was postponed to Tuesday, 9 February.
