Tributes for MP shot dead in Gauteng

Members of opposition parties yesterday joined the ANC in praising the governing party’s MP Sibusiso Radebe‚ who was killed in a suspected robbery in Roodepoort on Tuesday.

Police said preliminary reports indicated that Radebe was with another person in a vehicle parked in Lindhaven‚ west of Johannesburg‚ when two suspects allegedly approached the vehicle and opened fire.

He was killed while his companion managed to escape uninjured. The suspects drove off in a Ford Fiesta.

The IFP’s Mkhuleko Hlwengwa said: “The news of the murder of honourable Sibusiso Radebe is most tragic.

“S’bu was a great colleague and friend in parliament who was full of life.

“He was a humble and dedicated MP. My sincere condolences to his wife‚ family‚ friends and the ANC.”

The DA’s John Steenhuisen said he was deeply saddened by the incident.

“Radebe will be lovingly remembered by his family‚ friends and the ANC as a servant of the people who worked hard to improve the lives of South Africans‚” he said.

Another DA MP‚ Dean Macpherson‚ said: “Terrible news that Sibusiso Radebe was killed last night in Gauteng. My sincerest condolences to his family and party.

“We have lost too many MPs this year!”

Radebe joined parliament in 2009 after previously serving on the portfolio committee on higher education and training‚ and the portfolio committee on energy.

At the time of his death‚ he was serving on the portfolio committee on transport.

The ANC sent its deepest condolences to Radebe’s widow and his entire family.

“May they find solace in the knowledge that we painfully share their loss and thank them for having [lent] the ANC and the country this incomparable servant of our people‚” ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu said.

Radebe’s family is still trying to absorb the news of his sudden death.

His niece, Lungile Dube, said family members would be coming together soon.

They are trying to deal with the shock and attempting to get more details about the fatal shooting.

“We are still trying to liaise with the police. We don’t have much to say right now. Further details will be provided as time goes by,” Dube said.