SACP member slain: pair in the dock in KZN

TWO MEN made a fleeting appearance in the Camperdown Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday charged with the murder of an SACP member in Inchanga on Sunday.

They allegedly killed Nontsikelelo Blose, 40. The charge sheet said they allegedly shot her at or near Fredville, near the Mnide Tavern.

Magistrate Nombulelo Mbatha gave strict instructions to the media that they were not allowed to name, photograph or video the accused at this stage following an application by the prosecutor, Neville Loubser.

Loubser said the identification of the men would hamper a crucial part of the investigations, which might affect the outcome of the case. Mbatha agreed.

The men, aged 27 and 39, applied for legal aid and it was granted. Loubser asked that they be remanded for seven days while their addresses and previous and pending cases were verified. He also said police were investigating a conspiracy charge against the men.

Violence erupted in Inchanga this week. After Blose was shot and killed on Sunday, Xolani Ngcobo, 38, believed to be an ANC member, was stoned and shot outside his home the next day.

The two groups had been at loggerheads for the past few months as SACP members believed they were excluded from the ANC’s councillor nomination process.

In retaliation, the SACP nominated Malombo Nxumalo, a relative of former eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo, to stand as an independent candidate for the ward, against the ANC. He won the ward. –

THE SAPS has spent more than R250 million in securing the municipal polls, despite violent protests, the murder of councillor candidates and loss of some of the ballot boxes.

The police top brass told MPs yesterday that they deployed thousands of officers, with back-up from the army in case urgent intervention was needed.

However, acting National Commissioner LieutenantGeneral Khomotso Phahlane was questioned by MPs on the increase in violent protests, murders and other electionrelated crimes during the local government polls.

“The SANDF was deployed for logistical purposes, for example air support and ground support in an event of violence, as decided by the executive at that level,” said Phahlane.

President Jacob Zuma authorised the deployment of almost 2 300 troops, at a cost of R38m. This excluded the police budget for the polls of R257m. The increase was made after the SAPS revealed to the portfolio committee on police that there was an increase in election-related incidents from 604 in 2011 to 782 in this year’s elections.

DA MP Zakhele Mbhele and EFF member Phillip Mhlongo questioned the police’s job in securing the ballot boxes, saying some were found stolen or dumped on election day.

Phahlane said the budget was value for money and the R257m had covered the necessary areas.

MPs were also concerned that 18 candidates were murdered, and violence had broken out in Tshwane and Vuwani, among other areas.

Phahlane said police had acted when there was violence and had brought it under control in several areas, including Tshwane. Arrests had also been made.