The killing of Nongoma Ward 10 councillor, Thami Nyembe and his wife has caused fears of pre-election violence says Mary de Haas. Image: SABC News
Shooting of IFP councillor could signal the return of political killings – Mary de Haas
The political killing of IFP councillor Ndukenhle Duma could mark the return of pre-election political killings says Mary de Haas.
The killing of Nongoma Ward 10 councillor, Thami Nyembe and his wife has caused fears of pre-election violence says Mary de Haas. Image: SABC News
The killing of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) ward councillor Ndukenhle Duma, who was gunned down in broad daylight on the side of the road after his car broke down, has raised fears about pre-election political killings.
Mary de Haas, an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of KwaZulu Natal (KZN) School of Law, says political killings and the murders of councilors in corruption-infested municipalities have fueled fears about a possible return to the pre-election periods of the past decade where violence was the order of the day.
MORE THAN 300 CASES OF POLITICAL KILLINGS SINCE 2018
More than 300 cases have been investigated since July 2018 by the multidisciplinary police task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal, including 155 murders.
“The events of July 2021 showed how much damage can be done by covert, well organized, and unidentified forces with an unknown agenda. Based on pre-election periods in the past decade, it is probable that violence levels will increase,” said de Haas.
She said another recent case is the conviction of Fisokuhle Ntuli, who was given six life sentences for murdering Nongoma councillor Thami Nyembe and witnesses (he is currently accused 5 in the Meyiwa trial).
NDYEMBE WAS AN IFP COUNCILLOR WHO FELL FOUL OF ANC FACTIONS
Nyembe had been an IFP councillor who crossed to the ANC but fell foul of factions in the ANC who planned the killing. In 2013, he jumped ship and joined the ruling ANC. In a subsequent by-election on 23 October 2013, the National Freedom Party claimed the ward with a three-vote margin over Nyembe.
Nyembe was the second ANC councillor to be killed in as many months at the time, with councillor Zodwa Sibiya being killed in Durban’s notorious Glebelands Hostels.
KZN HITMAN NTULI’S REIGN OF TERROR SINCE 2015
According to the charge sheet, Ntuli’s reign of terror in Nongoma began in April 2015 when he murdered Bhutiza Mahlobo. The following year, he gunned down Nyembe. His wife, Nolwazi Mngomezulu, was shot and critically injured but survived.
Next, Ntuli killed three brothers who were willing to testify as witnesses in the murder of Nyembe. Ntuli killed Brothers Sibusiso Phiwayinkosi, Mcebisi and Sibusiso Elvis Zulu in January 2017.
