Vaal political candidates demand action from police, IEC after Mbana murder
The murder has sent shockwaves through the Vaal, with some fearing further violence as election campaigning intensifies.
VANDERBIJLPARK. – The murder of DA councillor Thulani Mbana has prompted fellow election candidates in the Vaal to call on police and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to explain their plans to protect candidates and prevent election-related violence.
Mbana was shot dead at his home in Zamdela, Sasolburg, on October 26. According to police, two unknown men approached his residence at about 21:40 and called out to him. When he approached them, one allegedly produced a firearm and shot him several times at close range. The suspects fled on foot.
Mbana, the DA’s Ward 14 candidate in Metsimaholo, died at the scene.
Police have not established the motive or confirmed whether the killing was politically motivated.
Emfuleni Ward 5 candidate Craig Kotze has called on police and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to explain their plans to prevent election-related violence.
“The murder of Thulani Mbana is a tragic reminder of the potential threat level against candidates – both mayoral and council candidates – not only in the Vaal Triangle but nationally,” said Kotze, who is standing for the Afrika Mayibuye Movement.
“Candidates are especially vulnerable to political violence because they expose themselves to the public.”
Kotze said police and the IEC must immediately assess their readiness to prevent violence ahead of the elections and report back to political parties through existing coordinating structures.
“Thus far we have had no indication of the police’s and Independent Electoral Commission’s state of readiness to deal with election and political violence in the Vaal.”
Political killings and mass murders are a contagious phenomenon.
He also claimed that the Hawks’ political killings task team was already involved in several investigations in the Vaal and said authorities should have communicated their readiness.
“We are demanding that they do something about this now to reassure candidates and the public. And they must inform us what they are going to do, so that we can prevent, rather than merely react to this dangerous state of affairs.”
Describing the Vaal as a “cradle of revolution”, Kotze warned that “political killings and mass murders are a contagious phenomenon”.
“The police, PKTT and IEC need to act with the cooperation of all players involved in order to prevent political killings or any killings linked to elections.”
