Partner of slain Northern Cape DA councillor declared brain dead

23 August 2016

Kimberley – Slain DA councillor Johannes Baaitjies’ business partner has been declared brain dead after he was shot last week in the Northern Cape.

Shuping Nosi was travelling with Baaitjies when he was wounded in the attack.

"The family was briefed about his [Nosi] condition so they could decide on the way forward," said a source close to the investigation.

On Monday, an ANC councillor appeared in the Postmasburg Magistrate's Court for the murder of Baaitjies.

The accused, Zoniselo Magawu, has been charged with the murder of Baaitjies and the attempted murder of Nosi.

Magawu was remanded in custody and would return to court on August 29.

In a statement issued on Monday, the ANC in the Northern Cape said it "notes with regret the arrest of one of its councillor candidates, Zoniselo Megawu".

The party said it condemned, in the "strongest" terms, the killing of the DA councillor.

"If the allegations levelled against the suspect are proven to be true by a court of law, the ANC’s code of conduct for public representatives and its disciplinary code, as stipulated in clause 16 of our constitution, would be applicable immediately."

Baaitjies was shot in the head and upper body on the eve of being inaugurated.

He was due to be sworn in to the plenary council of the Kgatelopele municipality, but as a result of the shooting, the first meeting was postponed.

DA Northern Cape leader Andrew Louw has labelled the murder a political killing.

Municipal manager Morgan Motswana said all members of council were so shocked by the shooting and death of Baaitjies that the inaugural meeting was postponed to Monday, August 22.

Baaitjies won the seat for the DA in Ward 2, but his death left the small council hung, with three councillors in the ANC, and three in a coalition between two DA councillors, including Baaitjies, and two councillors for the Kgatelopele Community Forum (KCF).

This article first appeared on News 24, see here.