‘Politics behind councillor’s murder’
THE wife of murdered Umzimkhulu ANC councillor Mduduzi Tshibase broke down in tears yesterday as she described events that led to his death.
Phumza Diko told the Moerane Commission of Inquiry investigating political killings in KwaZuluNatal that her husband lived in fear after two ANC councillors had been shot in the area.
Khaya Thobela, Umzimkhulu council ANC deputy secretary in the Harry Gwala region and the Speaker, was shot on his return home in April and former councillor Khayelihle Mngcwaba was shot dead at his house in Machunwin in May.
Tshibase, a father of three, was also a schoolteacher. He was shot dead in May as he arrived at his home in Gugwini village. He had served as councillor for two terms (10 years) and was a proportional representation councillor at the time of his death.
“He told me he had enemies, that some people did not want him to be a councillor and that it was internal ANC politics. But he refused to leave politics as he was loved by the community and wanted to continue serving them,” Diko said.
She said her husband knew his life was in danger, but she never thought he would be assassinated.
“We became extremely cautious when these murders began. In the weeks leading to his death, we were not able to communicate about sensitive matters concerning his safety over the phone as he suspected that his phone had been bugged,” Diko explained.
She added that Tshibase had also tried to be home as early as possible to avoid an ambush.
Several witnesses told the commission the killings were connected to corruption and the mismanagement of public funds in the multimillion-rand upgrades to the Umzimkhulu Memorial Hall.
Diko, who works for Umzimkhulu municipality, was cagey when questioned about what she believed were the reasons behind her husband’s murder.
She described her husband as a humble man of integrity, and said the family were struggling to adjust to life without him.
“He was the sole breadwinner and his parents are pensioners. He was killed as we were planning our child’s first birthday; his son will grow up not knowing his father, and that hurts me.”
No arrests have been made.