By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The police ministry has called for political tolerance in areas after councillors live in fear amid assassination threats.
According to Lirandzu Themba, police ministry spokesperson, the call comes a day after the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on political killings, reported back on the work of the Task Team investigating politically related cases in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Themba said the Nongoma municipality in the Zululand District has seen increased attacks on councillors.
She said this includes the murder of an NFP Councilor Ntombenhle Mchunu, the 75 year old was shot and killed while sleeping in the same bed with her grandchild in July this year.
“52 councillors and 103 political office bearers have been killed in the KZN since 2011. The Task team investigating political killings in KZN is also investigating numerous cases of attempted murder, assault and acts of intimidation linked to political rivalry.
“Since inception in 2018, the investigative team has arrested 348 suspects and secured 18 life sentences for political related cases.
“In an attempt to douse the brewing deadly political tensions, police minister, General Bheki Cele and the SAPS management led by National Commissioner General, Fannie Masemola on Thursday, 07 September 2023 held a security meeting with over 40 councillors from the contested Nongoma Local Municipality,” said Themba.
She said the meeting hosted at the Nongoma Local Municipal office was attended by KZN MEC for Community Safety Sipho Hlomuka, the sitting Mayor and Speaker of Council; together with party representatives from the affected political parties.
During the lengthy security meeting, Cele called for political tolerance from all political players but warned, that the law was closing in on those who choose violence instead of negotiations.
“While we call for peace, I want to be clear that police will not hesitate to act on politicians that use violence and criminality to settle coalition disputes.
“Silencing of the guns will happen but it doesn’t change the fact that crimes have been committed and police must and will act. One very clear outcome from this meeting is the position of law enforcement; to clean out criminality and enforce the law, without fear or favour.” concluded Cele.
“In an effort to stabilise political violence areas of concern in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, the National Commissioner has committed more resources to identified areas in the Zululand District, which will include the enhancement of investigative capabilities for political cases.
“Combat teams to increase the overall footprint of the SAPS in hot-spot areas will be deployed incrementally as the country heads to the National General Elections next year,” said Cele.
