MEC condemns killing of another KZN councillor
2 December 2016
Durban – A KwaZulu-Natal MEC has condemned the killing of an Umuziwabantu Local Municipality councillor and fears public representatives in the area are being targeted.
"We are deeply concerned that Umuziwabantu is becoming a hotspot for the killing of councillors and is becoming a place where no elected public representative is now safe," Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube said on Friday.
ANC Ward 3 councillor Ace Houston was shot on Thursday night while addressing a community meeting on housing-related matters in the presence of up to 60 residents.
He died on the scene, while a community member was wounded and is in critical condition in hospital.
An apparently unknown assailant was behind the shooting.
Last month, another South Coast councillor, Thembinkosi Zoleka, popularly known as "Commando", was gunned down at his home in Philips Road at Margate Extension 3 while he slept.
"This senseless violence on public representatives must stop and law enforcement agencies must restore order and peace in this municipality without delay," Dube-Ncube said on Friday.
Call for information
She extended her condolences to Houston's family and the community.
Dube-Ncube called on law enforcement "to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book".
"Members of the public are urged to come forward with any information that may lead to apprehending those responsible," she said.
Dube-Ncube added that local government institutions could not function "optimally" in an atmosphere of "fear and under constant threat of political violence".
"We are urging all political parties, civil society organisation and the community to play an active role in instilling discipline and in fostering a climate of peace in our municipalities," she said.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo confirmed the shooting of Houston, saying they were investigating a case of murder.
"It is alleged that a 58-year-old male was fatally shot by an unknown suspect. Another 31-year-old male was injured during the shooting. The motive of the killing is unknown and no arrest has been made at this stage."
This article first appeared on News24, see here.
