MEC condemns NFP killings

2012-05-02 20:40

Durban - KwaZulu-Natal Community Safety and Liaison MEC Willies Mchunu has condemned the killing of two National Freedom Party (NFP) leaders in Msinga.

“It is unacceptable that 18 years into democracy we are still experiencing incidents of political intolerance in the province,” Mchunu said on Wednesday.

He said that killing public representatives would create unnecessary instability.

“This is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated."

Two NFP leaders from the Msinga branch were killed and another was seriously injured in an ambush on Tuesday.

“Bongani Shelembe, chairman, and youth secretary Lungisile Zuma were shot dead while driving back from the party’s constituency meeting," said NFP general secretary Nhlanhla Khubisa.

Thulephi Mbatha was seriously injured.

Khubisa said he did not have the exact details of what had happened and did not want to speculate on the motive.

Colonel Jay Naicker said the vehicle was ambushed while en route to Keate's Drift at about 17:00 on Tuesday. Police were investigating.

“As a party we would like to express shock and disgust at the senseless killing of Shelembe and Zuma. We would also like to send our condolences to members of their families,” Khubisa said.

He called on party members to exercise restraint and let the police handle the matter.

Khubisa said the party would ask Mchunu to deploy police in the Msinga area.

- SAPA