KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, has urged communities and political leadership in the tension-filled Estcourt, in provincial midlands, to observe a spirit of tolerance. Mchunu’s call comes in the wake of increasing incidents of attacks on political office bearers and ordinary members of the community.
Four people have been critically wounded, and an unborn baby killed in two separate attacks in the past two weeks. This spate of attacks on political leadership in Estcourt has raised fears of political violence rearing its ugly head once again in that area.
Two weeks ago, three ANC members were attacked by gunmen in their home at Wembezi Township’s D-section at night. An unborn baby was killed and two people were critically wounded. Last Wednesday night, Khethiwe Radebe was shot nine times near her home at C-Section.
Also, the mayor Imbabazane, Phindile Strydom, survived an attempt on her life when an unknown assailant opened fire on her. A concerned Mchunu said these incidents had a potential to undermine peace initiatives driven by government through the Multi-Political Party Oversight Committee.
“’These latest incidents of violence are disturbing and I call on people and ordinary members of the community to observe restraint as we deal with this matter. We condemn these incidents as they seek to undermine efforts by the government to bring peace and stability in the greater Estcourt. Police are working around the cloak to apprehend those behind this violence while on, the other hand, we are also working behind the scenes to secure a political intervention and bring about lasting peace,” said Mchunu.
In the meantime, Mchunu said additional members of Public Order Policing had been deployed in that area.
“We will leave no stone unturned to apprehend those behind this. Arrests have been made in some of the incidents and cases are before courts,” said Mchunu
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