Shock as politician once accused of murder is shot dead
Born: 1954 Died: February 11 2017 Funeral details: not yet finalised
THE killing of former uMzinyathi district municipality deputy mayor Felamandla Mkhize has shocked some in the uMsinga area, but not surprising to many in the region that has had a number of unsolved murder cases recently.
His death follows that of other high-profile politicians in the province over the years.
Mkhize’s murder comes at a time when the province is still reeling from the killing of seven people in Richmond and eMatimatolo in the past week.
Even more bothersome is more than a dozen councillors and candidates killed in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mkhize’s killing has understandably irked MEC for transport, community safety and liaison Mxolisi Kaunda, who has strongly condemned the “barbaric deed”.
“We appeal to people not to speculate on the motive for his killing. Police have assured us that the case is receiving maximum attention and we are asking for cooperation,” Kaunda said this week.
“We must never surrender our province to those who want to turn it into a killing field.
“I wish to send my deepest condolences to the Mkhize family and to his political party.”
Mkhize rose to infamy when he, together with two co-accused, was charged with the murder of fellow National Freedom Party (NFP) member Thulebona Nhlebela in 2012. Nhlebela was shot dead on the road between Nquthu and Dundee in northern KZN.
Nhlebela was the chairman of the Nquthu constituency in the uMzinyathi district.
The accused were all members of the NFP. The state alleged that some time before Nhlebela’s murder, a dispute arose between Nhlebela, Mkhize and fellow accused Mkhonzeni Ntuli over positions within the NFP in uMzinyathi.
Meanwhile, NFP spokesman Sabelo Sigudu has said Mkhize was no longer a member of the party at the time of his death.
“The party released him when he was implicated in a murder case involving other party members,” said Sigudu.
Mkhize, who was an NFP councillor in a previous term, was shot dead in Dundee on Saturday.
At this stage, the motive for his killing is not clear.
However, MEC Kaunda has called for calm and restraint and urged people to allow the law to run its course.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.
May his soul rest in peace.