DA condemns ANC Provincial Chairperson's ‘embarrassing’ comments on political killings

6 September 2017

The Democratic Alliance condemns in the strongest possible terms comments in the media by ANC Provincial Chairperson and KZN MEC, Sihle Zikalala that political killings in KwaZulu-Natal are an “embarrassment” and that the killings have “embarrassed the organisation (ANC)”. He went further to say that this has become an “embarrassment” for KwaZulu-Natal.

Quite frankly, the only thing that is an embarrassment to KwaZulu-Natal and the ANC is the position that Sihle Zikalala has taken towards these ANC factional killings.

Instead of coming out and condemning this intra-party violence, killing and assassination, he is more concerned about the effect that it has on the cosmetic image of his party and province. What the ANC now faces is a massive credibility crisis over its handling of these political killings.

The truth of the matter is, for as long as Zikalala avoids coming before the Moerane Commission of Inquiry and continues making outrageous comments such as he has done, more people will continue to die.

That is why on 30 August 2017, I wrote to Zikalala, demanding a time and date that he will appear before the Commission. To date, no response, let alone an acknowledgement has been forthcoming.

The DA will not rest until Zikalala commits to a time and date where he must come clean about his knowledge of these political killings and who is behind them, no matter how high up the ANC command they may be.

Its time Zikalala puts aside his “embarrassment” and starts to show real leadership and empathy with the people of KZN.

Issued by Dean Macpherson, DA uMgungundlovu East Constituency Head, 6 September 2017