ANC steps into killings in region before polls

Three party leaders slain in Umzimkhulu

One month, same area: three councillors gunned down.

This is the situation in presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s Harry Gwala region in southern KwaZuluNatal, which appears to be at war with itself. Between April 23 and May 23, three ANC members – two councillors and a former councillor – were executed in Umzimkhulu.

As the bodies pile up‚ Dlamini-Zuma is said to be hugely embarrassed by the shenanigans from her region.

So brazen have the killings been that the KwaZulu-Natal ANC top five and the provincial working committee have been jolted into action.

Tomorrow, ANC officials are expected to pay a visit to the troubled region and try to find a solution to the escalating problem of political killings.

ANC regional deputy secretary and Umzimkhulu municipal speaker Khaya Thobela was the first to be gunned down on April 20 while arriving at his home at Mfundweni.

He died in hospital three days later.

Next to be shot and killed was former Harry Gwala proportional representative (PR) councillor and branch leader Khaya Mgcwaba‚ on May 11 .

Twelve days later, on May 23, Mduduzi Tshivase‚ a teacher as well as a PR councillor, was also gunned down at his eMachunwini home.

As teachers‚ both Thobela and Tshivase were members of the teachers’ union‚ the SA Democratic Teachers Union.

“Our going there is really an attempt to find out the root causes of these killings and also to find a solution to put an end to this‚” said KZN ANC deputy secretary Mluleki Ndobe.

Ndobe, who hails from the same region and is the mayor of Harry Gwala district, said Dlamini-Zuma was embarrassed that her home region was tearing itself apart.

“She’s hugely embarrassed by this and she’s very worried that it’s happening in her region. It’s embarrassing to all of us. This has always been a peaceful region‚” said Ndobe.

The region is due to hold an elective conference this month.

Ndobe said they would meet with the regional executive committee during their visit.

“This will be followed by the ANC structures at the branches‚ civil society‚ alliance partners‚ traditional leaders‚ the clergy and business people.”

He said all these structures have expressed concerns at the killings.