Community leader assassinated
ANOTHER community leader has been assassinated.
Chairperson of Mkhwanazi and Phalane Community Trust, Mbabazeni Zibani was gunned down while attending a land dispute meeting on Wednesday.
Hailed as the epitome of a community developer, who dedicated his entire life to serving his people, Zibani (66) was shot and killed by two suspects while trying to get something from his car at the Forest Inn venue near Mtunzini.
The motive for the killing is unknown.
Speaking on behalf of Mkhwanazi Traditional Authority, Mandla Makhathini said Inkosi Mkhwanazi, izinduna and the entire council were devastated by the news of Zibani’s untimely death.
‘We have lost a community activist who was instrumental in unlocking rural development and a man who distinguished himself as a voice of the people.
‘We had been made aware of his new responsibility to facilitate land disputes within the Mkhwanazi Traditional Authority.
‘He had reported to us that he would be attending a meeting to address land beneficiaries,’ he said.
Zibani’s son Bheki also expressed his sadness for the murder of his father, saying his father was killed for nothing.
‘At least we are comforted by the fact that my father died on the battlefield, like a soldier with his boots on.
‘We now pin our hopes on our law enforcement agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of this barbaric crime.
‘I think those who killed him may have thought he had something to do with the compensation money.
‘We want to give police space to do their work, with a hope that they will make an arrest soon,’ he said.
Zibani has a long history with community involvement, having served as the IFP leader in the area many years ago, and was chairman of the then uMlalazi Sub Regional Council, a wing of the old uThungulu Regional Council, which was chaired by the late Dr BV Mthethwa.
Zibani led the delegation that welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa when he came to hand over land to the people of Mkhwanazi Traditional Authority last year.
He also served as the traditional councillor for Inkosi Mkhwanazi. He is survived by his wife and 15 children.
He will be laid to rest on Saturday, 10 August at his home in Ntuze Reserve.