Political killings condemned

Independent Newspapers

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KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal - Political parties have condemned the kidnapping and killing of an IFP councillor in KwaMashu at the weekend.

“KwaZulu-Natal alone witnesses political assassination almost every year and this tendency must be condemned in the strongest possible terms as senseless acts of violence only foment further violence,” Democratic Alliance councillor Zwakele Mncwango said on Monday.

Inkatha Freedom Party councillor Themba Xulu was abducted from his home in KwaMashu's A-Section on Friday, allegedly by five men posing as policemen.

His body was discovered in an area known as eTafulene, near Durban, on Sunday.

Mncwango said the DA was concerned about the increase in political killings in the province.

“The death of any councillor is so unnecessary and is illustrating yet again how intolerant our society has become,” he said.

Colonel Jay Naicker said people collecting mushrooms discovered Xulu's body and alerted the police.

Xulu sustained multiple gunshot wounds and his body appeared to show early signs of decomposition, Naicker said.

Congress of the People spokesman Graham McIntosh said Xulu’s killing was a concern because it was well-planned and indicated political intolerance.

“Cope strongly believes that political tolerance must be a pillar and strength of any democratic nation. We also need to examine our justice system so that we develop proper punishment for people who participate in premeditated murders.”

National Freedom Party president Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi appealed to the police to speed up investigations into the killings at the hostel.

“We call on police to conduct raids at the hostel as it is clear that there are arms caches hidden there to fan these ongoing political killings.”

She said more police needed to be deployed at the hostel.

“We also call on Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to put a permanent mobile police station 1/8there 3/8 to monitor the situation, as failure to do so might see political violence returning to the hostel.”

Three NFP members were recently shot dead at the hostel, she said.

The NFP was formed prior to the 2011 local government elections when former IFP national chair KaMagwaza-Msibi left the party. - Sapa