Police called on to act after 3 ANC members shot dead; 5 wounded at party meeting

THE ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has asked police to pull out all stops to track down “the criminals” who killed three of its members and wounded four others at a party meeting in Durban on Saturday.

Three women were brutally killed and five others suffered bullet wounds when unknown men opened fire during an ANC community meeting to select a candidate councillor at Ward 54 in Inanda.

Yesterday, KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi condemned the killing.

“The killing of innocent citizens cannot be accepted. We will do everything in our control to bring the perpetrators to book.

“We are also appealing to the community to expose the culprits of this heinous crime.

“There can be no justification for such a vicious and cowardly act,” Mkhwanazi said.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said the incident happened at about 4pm on Saturday, when a group of people were standing at the front gate of Buhlebethu Primary School at Newtown C in Inanda.

“It is alleged that at this stage a black Opel Corsa bakkie with five occupants drove by the school. Witnesses said the occupants of the vehicle opened fire at the group with handguns before fleeing the scene,” Brigadier Naicker said.

Three women, aged between 34 and 60, died because of the shooting and stampede that ensued.

Four women and a man, who are aged between 41 and 70 years old, were injured during the shootout and received medical attention.

“Police at Inanda are investigating three counts of murder and five of attempted murder.

“We cannot confirm the motive for the shooting at this stage,” he said.

According to bystanders, who refused to be named fearing for their lives, the tragedy struck as ANC ward 54 was finalisaing the selection of its councillor candidate.

They told Independent Media that the incident happened after the person who was presiding over the meeting allegedly agreed to include the incumbent ward councillor.