Hearing on political killings this week

THE commission of inquiry into suspected political killings before the municipal elections will have its first hearing on Thursday.

Details on the progress of the commission are being kept under wraps and a media briefing is scheduled for later this week.

Advocate Marumo Moerane SC, chairperson of the commission, said information about the progress of the investigation would be available at the briefing. “Join the briefing, all questions will be answered,” he said.

Premier Willies Mchunu set up the commission after a number of killings in various parts of the province which were believed to be politically motivated.

In his State of the Province address, Mchunu said the pride of political parties and personal ambition should not obscure the focus of promoting unity among the people.

“Unity is not blind loyalty to follow without ascertaining yourself about the correctness of the direction to which you are led. We remain concerned about the continuing politically related murders and faction fights in traditional communities,” said Mchunu at the time.

Inchanga, Umtshezi, Nongoma, Ulundi and other areas were ravaged by suspected political murders. The victims were from political parties including the ANC and SACP.

Terms

The Sunday Independent reported last year that terms of reference of the commission included: investigating and reporting on the underlying causes for the rise in the murder of politicians; incidents of murder and attempted murder involving politicians – both as victims and suspects – indications whether the incidents were related to political, ethnic, tribal, social or criminal factors or any other internal or external influences; the outcome of any police investigation and prosecution of the incidents; the perceptions of the public, political parties, community structures and communities in respect of the underlying causes of the incidents of murder and the efficacy of policing.

The scope includes making recommendations on tackling the underlying causes responsible for the rise in the killings; the prevention of future murders; and the roles of all spheres of government.

Ndabezinhle Sibiya, the premier’s spokesperson, said among the issues to be covered during the briefing would be the announcement of venues for the public hearings.

“The premier is of the view that this commission will significantly augment the peace-building work of the Multi-Party Political Intervention Committee. Law enforcement agencies are continuing with their work of ensuring that perpetrators are brought to book,” Sibiya said yesterday.