Violence monitor asked to participate

MARY de Haas, KZN violence monitor and research fellow at UKZN’s school of law, would be the first to appear before the Moerane commission of inquiry into political killings in the province, the commission said yesterday.

The commission was set up by KZN Premier Willies Mchunu last year following a number of killings in various parts of the province that were believed to be politically motivated.

It is chaired by advocate Marumo Moerane SC, with Professor Cheryl Potgieter and advocate Vasu Gounden as commission members, and Durban attorney Solo Mdledle as secretary.

The team will look into cases dating back to 2011.

Addressing the media at the Public Works Department in Mayville, Durban, yesterday, Moerane said the commission would rely on finalised police investigations, media reports, political analysts and violence monitors to formulate its recommendations.

Among the material studied by the commission over the past two months were news reports, police reports and the views of analysts.

Moerane said the commission was in communication with the premier and the police to appoint a team of investigators to assist it

“I have no doubt that given the number of killings, the province must be appalled. We therefore call upon all who have information that might be helpful in this process to come forward,” Moerane said.

De Haas said the commission had restored hope in solving the political killings around the province.

“Before the commission was announced we had all these investigating teams into these killings, but with no satisfactory results. I was a bit sceptical about the announcement until the commission called me last week. After our chat I thought this was a team that is sincere about these killings. I think there’s an objective motive behind this and it looks like the premier is sincere in bringing all those responsible to book,” De Haas said.

She said she suggested that the ANC, IFP, NFP and SACP be invited to contribute towards the fact-finding mission, with the hope that the commission’s findings would be implemented.

“Given the most recent killings in Inchanga before the municipal elections, ANC and SACP members were the casualties and that’s why political parties should be called to participate,” she said.