KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, has strongly condemned the attack and shooting believed to be targeting the NFP Councillor in uMlazi, south of Durban.
According to the police, an unknown man opened fire at Councillor Zanele Mthethwa’s home in an informal settlement, outside uMlazi. Councillor Mthethwa is a PR Councillor under ward – 88, her friend sustained injuries during this attack.
MEC has noted this incident with serious concerns and condemnation as it comes in the wake of the similar attacks where a Councillor was shot at and killed in eThekwini in the recent past.
The MEC views these attacks on elected public representatives as move s towards undermining the democratic rights of people to choose their public representatives and warns those orchestrating the elimination of Councillors that they will soon face the music.
“This is disturbing and unacceptable. The attacks targeting public representatives are equal to undermining our democracy. I condemn this attack with the contempt it deserves. People who are behind this are causing unnecessary instability in the community. Whether it is political related or not, nobody has a right to kill other people. I am, however, confident that police will soon find perpetrators of this crime,” said MEC Mchunu.
MEC Mchunu further made a strong appeal to all political parties to condemn the resurgence of political related killings in the province. The Multi-Political Party Oversight Committee, which is chaired by MEC Mchunu, has made number of interventions in various areas that have recently experienced political tensions and violence.
Areas like Estcourt, Greytown, uLundi/ Nongoma and KwaMashu and 17 Hostel in Umlazi are amongst areas where major interventions have been made to ensure political tolerance and with great success.
MEC Mchunu also re-affirmed his commitment and that of government to work tirelessly to work towards stability and peaceful co-existence in the province.
“As the government we remain committed in working hard to build peace and stability. Our noble course of advancing democratic values and principles cannot be delayed by those who embark on criminal acts through violence.
“Working with all political parties and the police, our government is committed to building a matured society that respects human rights and constitutional obligation of respecting rights of individuals to associate themselves with any grouping of their choice without fear,” said MEC Mchunu.
Enquiries:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462/ 079 699 5755
