Another man arrested for murder of Northern Cape DA councillor, partner

Kimberley – Another suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of DA councillor Johannes Baatjies and his business partner, the Hawks said on Thursday.

Tsame Frak Baxane, 31, was arrested on Wednesday in Danielskuil for his alleged involvement in the murder, spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase said.

He appeared in the Danielskuil Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where his case was remanded until October 17.

He would appear with four other suspects who were arrested in connection with the murder.

The four suspects - Zonisele Magawu, Charles Thompson Mpondomisa, Matthews Legodu, and Richard Hasana - have applied for bail.

"We distance ourselves as the Hawks from the media reports implying that the ANC in Upington plotted and planned the murder of Johannes Baatjies. Our investigating officer only put to the court the statements of the accused as recorded," said Nkwalase.

Baatjies, 49, was shot in the head and upper body on the eve of being sworn in as a Kgatelopele municipality councilor, following the August 3 local government elections.

He was found dead on the main road between Danielskuil and Postmasburg on August 17.

His business partner Shuping Nosi, who was also shot, died in hospital.

Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said at the time that preliminary investigations revealed that Baatjies was "unsuspectingly lured into a death trap".

DA Northern Cape leader Andrew Louw said the murder was politically motivated. Baatjies won the seat for the DA in Ward 2.

His murder left the small council hung, with three councillors in the ANC, and three in a coalition between two DA councillors, including Baatjies, and two Kgatelopele Community Forum councillors.

Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) spokesperson in the province, Bonolo Modise, said a by-election would be held on November 9.

They had not yet closed candidate nominations.

This article first appeared on News24.