Zondi
23 January 2009
Minister for Provincial and Local Government, Sicelo Shiceka, has condemned
the brutal slaying of iNkosi Mbongeleni Zondi from Umsinga in the Umzinyathi
District, KwaZulu-Natal as a cowardly act by people who had no respect for
human life or cultural institutions of traditional leadership in society.
INkosi Zondi was visiting his wife at his home in Umlazi when he was shot by
unknown gunmen earlier today Thursday, 22 January. About 50 AK47 shells were
allegedly found at the scene. The motive for the murder is not yet clear at
this stage. Minister Shiceka has called on the police to hunt down the killers
and ensure that they are dealt with by the law.
"Members of the community should also come forward because surely someone
must have seen something or someone suspicious. The community needs to work
with the police to swiftly and permanently eliminate incidents of this nature
before they escalate into something else," said Minister Shiceka.
The Minister also passed a message of condolences to the family on their
loss.
"For iNkosi Zondi to pass on at a time when government is finally setting up
a specific department for traditional affairs which traditional leaders,
including iNkosi Zondi, had been agitating for since the dawn of democracy is a
travesty of justice.
He leaves us at a time when government needs all the support and guidance
from this sector of leadership in rolling out and managing this key milestone
in deepening South Africa's democracy," Minister Shiceka said.
Traditional leadership falls within the Minister's portfolio in cabinet and
he has been engaging widely with traditional leaders in all provinces since he
was appointed into his position four months ago.
For more information contact:
Vuyelwa Qinga Vika
Tel: 012 334 0995/0993
Fax: 012 326 4478
Cell: 082 877 3898
E-mail: VuyelwaQ@dplg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Provincial and Local Government
23 January 2009
Source: Department of Provincial and Local Government (http://www.thedplg.gov.za/)
