Committee Chairperson appeals for multifaceted approach to stop killing of councillors in KwaZulu-Natal
The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation, Mr China Dodovu, has condemned the continuing killing of councillors in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). He is of the view that the political killings in KZN have long reached crisis proportions and require a multifaceted approach to be stopped.
“The continued killing of councillors, with the recent murder of Councillor Minenhle Mkhize and Councillor Reginald Ndima, is unacceptable. Furthermore, the inability of the law enforcement agencies to prosecute the perpetrators and masterminds behind the murders encourages them to continue to commit these heinous acts,” Mr Dodovu said.
The effective investigation and eventual prosecution of perpetrators and instigators is the first step in the fight against the killings and for this to happen, the South African Police Service must strengthen its intelligence-gathering apparatus in order to detect the planned killings before they happen.
Secondly, the Moerane Commission heard evidence that some of those cases were predicated on flagrant grounds to hide and perpetuate corrupt tendencies within the local government sector. It is for this reason that the fight against corruption should be strengthened and heightened. “The society should invest its energies in exposing corruption to ensure that corrupt elements who have the temerity to kill in the sector are removed,” reiterated Mr Dodovu.
There is also a need for effective political education to end the deepening culture of intolerance, violence and killings in KZN. This worrying culture of violence requires continuous and concerted effort to end it. It is unacceptable that people are killed with such impunity,” Mr Dodovu added.
He extended the committee’s heartfelt condolences to the Mkhize and Ndima families and their relatives. He wished the two bereaved families strength during these difficult and trying times of their loss of their relatives. “May their souls rest in eternal peace.”
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