DA pushing for KZN political leaders’ roundtable as yet another councillor is brutally killed

29 August 2023

The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) condemns the killing of yet another councillor in the province. This after ANC Ward 14 councillor, Mabhungu Mkhize was shot by three assailants in Mbali township, Pietermaritzburg, on Friday last week just hours after holding community prayers for peace in the area.

The DA extends its sincere condolences to the family of Councillor Mkhize at this difficult time. To lose a loved one under such brutal circumstances is devastating. According to reports, two suspects have been arrested and we urge SAPS to ensure the arrest of the third individual involved.

Councillor Mkhize’s passing brings the total number of councillors killed in KZN to 19 in less than two years. It also comes after the attempted murder of an NFP councillor in Nongoma on Wednesday.

It is clear that the situation in our province is out of control while the frequency at which such crimes are taking place has reached crisis levels. Councillors are elected to serve communities yet, in KZN, many are unable to fulfil this role due to fear of losing their lives.

Regrettably, there has been little intervention from KZN’s ANC-run government. This despite the potential for the situation to worsen as we head towards the 2024 elections.

Numerous promises by Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and her cabinet members are yet to be fulfilled. This includes a commitment to act on the tabled recommendations of the 2018 Moerane Commission – dealing with political assassinations in our province – after five long years.

It is clear that KZN’s people can no longer wait for this ANC government to act. The DA has therefore resolved to do so, last week launching an anti-crime campaign to deal with politically motivated killings and the rampant criminality faced by our people.

We have also written to parties represented in the KZN Legislature to strategize a way forward to address ongoing political killings. The roundtable discussions are set to place within the next month and are aimed at finding common ground to stem this scourge.

KZN’s people deserve to live without ongoing blood-shed. The 2024 elections will present them with the opportunity to save our province.

Issued by Sithembiso Ngema and Martin Meyer, DA, 29 August 2023