ANC KZN member killed in shooting

‘They separated him from his family in the most brutal manner’

ANC elections co-ordinator Nqobizwe Mkhize, brutally killed on Saturday, was ready and excited to welcome his first child this month, said his brother Dennis Mkhize.

Nqobizwe, 42, was shot dead at his home in Imfume‚ Ward 105 of eThekwini Municipality in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was responsible for election mobilisation in the district.

“They kicked the door open, he was in bed with his wife and the attackers instructed his wife to cover herself while they shot him. She was admitted to hospital but the doctors say the child is fine. She is still in shock but we are happy that she and the baby were not injured,” Dennis said.

“We want to know why they killed my brother, they separated him from his family in the most brutal manner. We are appealing to anyone with information to come forward, we want closure,” he said.

He also appealed for help towards funeral costs.

“My brother was not formally employed, he relied on temporary work, we need all the help we can get,” he said.

This happened as the Moerane Commission of Inquiry probing political killings in the province is busy wrapping up its investigation.

The commission, which was established by Premier Willies Mchunu, has thus far heard that ANC infighting and readily-available hitmen were large contributing factors to assassinations in the province.

Mkhize’s murder comes after ANC activist Sfiso Mlambo, 34, was shot dead at a friend’s home in eSikhawini, Empangeni in January.

At least nine ANC officials were killed last year.

The ANC in the province expressed shock and outrage at the killing.

“It’s sad that yet another dark cloud of brutal killings has engulfed our province.

“The ANC lost comrade Mkhize on a very critical open voter registration day while he was tasked to co-ordinate the programme to encourage people to register and check their addresses,” Sihle Zikalala, ANC KZN provincial interim committee co-ordinator said.

Zikalala said the murder was an act of cowardice and an attempt to weaken the ANC.

“We are hopeful that the law enforcement will work hard and apprehend these murderers. For us, losing a member tasked with critical work for our movement brings a lot of pain.

“We commit ourselves to pick up his spear and soldier on with the struggle for the betterment of our people’s lives,” Zikalala added.

He said while escaping, the assassins fired shots at two other community members who also died.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said three murder investigations were continuing.

“Three unknown suspects armed with firearms entered the house in Imfume. They kicked the door open and fired shots at Mkhize.

“He sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body and died at the scene. The motive for the killing is still unknown,” she said.