The president of the Mashishing Civic Coalition, Pompie Ledwaba, has asked the Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, to intervene in the recent fight for tenders in Mashishing.

This request comes in the wake of what Ledwaba termed a ‘mini-war’ in which there were attempts to assassinate an ANC councillor and a businessman in the area on May 6.

In the early hours of the morning, a local businessman received death threats from someone claiming to be to be calling from Gauteng.

“The complainant was allegedly told that he would be killed because he was a stumbling block for Johannesburg entrepreneurs resulting in them failing to get some tenders around Lydenburg,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Jabu Ndubane.

“According to further allegations, a police officer of Lydenburg SAPS also received death threats from the same suspect. He was told that the Lydenburg Police Station would be attacked and his life would not be spared as he was the one whom the local businessman reported the death threats and intimidation,” added Ndubane.

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She said later that around 18:00 on May 6, about five vehicles with armed suspects stormed into the Mashishing home of an ANC councillor only to find that he was not there.

Ndubane said the group then proceeded to the businessman who had received death threats’ residence. The assailants allegedly forced their way onto the premises. A shoot-out ensued between the assailants and the businessman who was assisted by various security companies.

“Members of the Lydenburg Police Station were alerted to the incident and went to the scene. It was during this time when seven suspects, aged between 30 and 59, were apprehended. One of these suspects sustained some injuries and was rushed to a hospital for medical treatment under police guard,” said Ndubane.

“Three vehicles used by the suspects were seized, with eight assault handguns, one assault rifle and more than 400 rounds of ammunition,” Ndubane added.

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Kwenza Mkhize (31), Siphelele Sithole (40), Bongumusa Nzama (59), Mpilo Mhlongo(45), Gcina Mkhize (41) and Thembelani Sibisi (30) appeared in the Mashishing District Court on May 8. Peter Tshoga (40) appeared in absentia since he was still admitted in hospital.

The suspects who physically appeared in court were remanded in custody pending their next appearance on May 22 for police further investigations and for a formal bail application.

Following this incident, Ledwaba sent a letter to Ndlovu and said this violence was as a result of what he called the “sorry state of Thaba Chweu Local Municipality.”

“This municipality has been turned into a mafia institution with impunity, and requires the immediate intervention of your esteemed office. More worrisome is the violence and hit squads, which have surpassed the rule of law,” said Ledwaba’s letter. “This is a demon entrenched and perpetuated by the current incompetent and playful municipal administration. The municipality is now in a state of complete anarchy because of the mafia-style of the awful leadership.”

During an interview with Lowvelder, Ledwaba said the Mashishing Civic Coalition was a parliament for the people by the people. “It has been bestowed with the responsibility to protect and champion the interests of our communities to hold political leadership and the administrators in our municipalities accountable,” said Ledwaba.

The Mpumalanga government’s spokesperson, George Mthethwa, said: “I am not aware about this communique. These accusations constitute blatant crimes and community members with evidence should inform law enforcement agencies first, for investigations to take place and arrests to be made. The premier will certainly be alarmed by this criminality. However, I am quite certain that his sentiments will not be far off from what I have shared, because these agencies are best placed to deal with such life-threatening and inhumane matters,” said Mthethwa.