MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, has vehemently condemned the murder of induna Mbhubha Maswidi Vilakazi, who was shot and killed yesterday in KwaVumbu, Ladysmith, while waiting for transport at a bus stop.
Yesterday morning, 9 February 2015 Vilakazi was waiting for a taxi when a car stopped nearby. It is alleged that the suspects rolled down the car windows, shot and killed Vilakazi with high caliber weapons before they sped-off. Vilakazi died at the scene.
At this stage, the motive for the murder is unknown and the police are investigating. Today (Tuesday, 10 February 2015), Mchunu said the death of Vilakazi was of grave concern given the fact that he was one of the leaders involved in peace talks to end a long conflict over a land dispute that has claimed three lives and resulted in the torching of four houses.
“I find this murder to be totally abhorrent. We condemn it and we will follow it until there is an arrest and conviction. I am extremely disappointed and angered by this senseless murder because Vilakazi was at the forefront of negotiating and resolving disputes in a peaceful manner. We had also reached stability because there was no violence in this matter and this murder has a potential to undermine the progress made so far.
“I would like to call on the community to give police an opportunity to work on this matter so that those responsible for this act should be brought to book. “We also call on whoever might have information as to who is responsible for this to share it with the police so that those responsible for his murder can face the long arm of the law,” said Mchunu.
Mchunu also extended his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of induna Vilakazi. Late last year, the Department of Community Safety and Liaison held peace talks with all the parties involved in the conflict, including two amakhosi - Inkosi Mabaso and Inkosi Zulu. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, SAPS and the local municipality were also part of the talks.
Enquiries:
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 682 6437
E-mail: Sipho.khumalo@comsafety.gov.za
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462/ 079 699 5755
E-mail: Kwanele.ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
