ANC in KZN shocked by the assassination of its councillor in KwaNongoma
16 May 2016
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal is shattered by a brutal assassination of its councillor, Cde Thami Nyembe, at KwaNongoma Municipality. Cde Nyembe was an ANC PR councillor in Ward 10.
Cde Nyembe was ambushed while transporting his wife to town. Reports indicate that attackers fired randomly to Cde Nyembe’s vehicle while driving on Maphophoma Road at Masundwini area also injuring his wife. They were both rushed to the hospital in a critical condition and Cde Nyembe was certified dead on arrival. While the details of Cde Nyembe’s killing are still sketchy at this stage, but the manner in which the attack was carried out raises strong questions about the killing being premediated.
The ANC is deeply shocked and concerned at the spate of killing of its councillors and servants of the public. The slaying of Cde Nyembe comes less than two months after another brutal assassination of the ANC councillor Cde Zodwa Sibiya in eThekwini Municipality.
“We are very devastated and shock by the continuation of senseless killing of our most dedicated and hardworking councillors. This is a tragic loss for his family, for the ANC, the people of KwaNongoma and KwaZulu-Natal in general. We call on the police to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Cde Nyembe’s killers account for their callous act,” said ANC Provincial Secretary Cde Super Zuma.
We trust that the killing of Cde Nyembe is not an attempt of stopping a tidal wave of support and inroads the ANC is making in KwaNgoma and the Zululand District as whole.
Cde Nyembe is among a number of comrades who bravely joined the ANC when it was a matter of life and death to be an ANC member or supporter in KwaNongoma. Cde Nyembe has been in forefront, giving hope to the masses of our people that our movement, the ANC is the only one that can change their lives. His community involvement alongside some of the most ANC activists in the area made him a hero to his people.
The ANC has made significant inroads in KwaNongoma since Cde Nyembe joined the ranks of our movement. The ANC urge members of the community to work hand in hand with the police to ensure that those responsible for the murder are brought to book.
Our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and the entire membership of the African National Congress in Abaqulusi Region. We also wish his wife a speedy recovery in hospital.
We can also assure Cde Nyembe that the ANC will remain focused to free his people from poverty and liberate them politically to be able to make their choices. His death wouldn’t be in vain as our struggle will continue to take where he left.
The ANC has called on the police to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators so as to help promote stability as we proceed to the Local Government Elections.
May his soul rest in peace!
Issued by Mdumiseni Ntuli, ANC Provincial Spokesperson, 16 May 2016
