A Mandeni councillor is believed to have been assassinated to silence him over alleged corruption within the Mandeni municipality.

Phendukani Mabhida, a 40-year-old councillor, was shot and killed at his home in Sundumbili last Tuesday. His 42-year-old sister was also injured in the attack.

Police have since arrested two suspected hitmen in connection with the murder and attempted murder.

Mabhida, an African National Congress (ANC) ward 18 councillor, had recently written to Mandeni council speaker Phindile Sishi, requesting to be excused from council meetings due to tensions with fellow ANC councillors.

In his letter, he expressed concern that his colleagues were uneasy about him questioning corruption and mismanagement. He alleged that the ANC caucus had become a platform for members to protect their friends, disregarding the party’s reputation.

Sishi confirmed that the council had received Mabhida’s letter.

“We received the letter on Friday, and unfortunately, it has been circulating on social media. As a council, we are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. We request time to support and mourn with the family during this difficult period. The concerns raised in the letter will be addressed through internal processes, and the allegations will be investigated.

“Our council has rules in place to handle matters affecting councillors. We had scheduled a meeting with Mabhida on Wednesday to discuss his concerns further,” said Sishi.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the two suspected hitmen were arrested just hours after the murder. Public Order Policing officers were patrolling Sundumbili when they spotted the men walking along the street.

“Police stopped and searched the men, aged 31 and 34, and found them in possession of two firearms with serial numbers removed. They were arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms. Further investigations linked them to the murder of councillor Mabhida and the attempted murder of his sister,” said Netshiunda.

The men were also connected to the murder of an induna who was shot and killed in Sundumbili on January 25.

They appeared before the Nyoni Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal condemned the murder and urged the community to assist the police in their investigations.

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