KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, has expressed outrage at the attack of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) councillor at KwaMashu Hostel, outside Durban, who was shot at by unknown assailants.
Mr Sakhi Ngcamu, Ward 39 councillor in eThekwini municipality, was allegedly attacked at his house inside the hostel by a group of armed men this weekend. According to the police, a case of attempted murder has been opened but the motive for this attack is not clear at this stage.
Commenting on this incident, MEC Mchunu condemned this attack and declared confidence that police were working around the clock to apprehend the perpetrators of this ugly deed. MEC Mchunu expressed confident that police would leave no stone unturned to bring those responsible for this to book.
Ngcamu was elected last year following the abduction and killing of former IFP councillor, Themba Xulu. Xulu was found dead at iNanda. Since his abduction confrontation erupted between supporters of the IFP and National Feedom Party (NFP) at the hostel.
After series of incidents characterized by high levels of political intolerance, many interventions we made by MEC Mchunu through the multi-political party oversight committee.
These interventions included the formation of the three- aside –committee comprising IFP, NFP and ANC leaders inside the hostel which culminated to the public signing of peace pledge before the by-election. The formation of the three-aside -committee saw local political leaders of various political parties coming together for the first time to commit themselves to peaceful co- existence and political tolerance.
Working together with the IEC, political parties affected, the police and the multi-party committee, peaceful, free and fair by-elections were held in the area. Yesterday, MEC Mchunu sent a stern warning against those involved in this attack, clearly declaring that no one would be allowed to undermine the great work made by all stakeholders to bring about an atmosphere of peaceful political co-existence in the area.
He cautioned against those who were using violence tactics to instil fear to the people of Ward 39, adding that they would face the might of the law.
“Such acts of violence and intimidation are unacceptable. This has a potential of reversing the good work and progress that has been made in stabilizing Ward-39. “No matter what was the motive for the attack, we remain cautious of the history and the events of the recent past of political intolerance in this hostel. Police have done a lot of good work in ensuring peace in this hostel and I have no doubt they will continue to work hard and to monitor the situation in the area.
“I call upon all political leaders in the province to rise and voice their strong
objection to political intolerance and against criminal elements in our society,” said Mchunu.
Mchunu also condemned the spate of killings of business people inside the hostel, saying this undermined the good work done in changing the image of this hostel.
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