Mpumalanga killing probe overdue - DA

2011-01-24 20:56

Mbombela - A probe into the killing of politicians and government officials in Mpumalanga, announced by National Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele, is long overdue, the Democratic Alliance said on Monday.

"The ANC and especially Premier [David] Mabuza, have been suspiciously silent on this matter. The DA believes that the probe is long overdue," DA Mpumalanga leader Anthony Benadie said in a statement.

He said it was of "critical importance" that the team be given the space, time and resources to investigate the killings.

"The ANC must give the absolute assurance that no politician or official will attempt either directly or indirectly to interfere or tamper with this investigation."

Cele on Friday announced a team of 12 investigators were to be dispatched to the province to probe the murders - which had been going on for years, the New Age online reported.

"I've noted that every January from three years ago, people are being murdered," he said.

"I've tasked 12 investigators from all the provinces to investigate the matter. Anyone who has information about any of the murders in the province must contact the nearest police station."

'Politically motivated murders'

According to the Sowetan the team would start with the first murder of Mbombela municipality speaker Jimmy Mohlala. Ehlanzeni municipal chief whip Johan Ndlovu was the most recent victim.

The paper reported a "hit-list" had been widely circulated, hits carried out and hired assassins paraded. The police have claimed these were fabrications.

The DA urged anyone with information about the murders to co-operate with the team to ensure those responsible were held to account.

Reports indicate that at least 14 politicians and government officials were killed under questionable circumstances since 1998.

The National Union of Metalwokers of SA in Mpumalanga also voiced its approval of the move to probe the killings.

"We hope these investigations will expose the real masterminds behind these heinous acts of eliminating political opponents through the barrel of the gun, for self-centred and accumulation interests," said regional secretary Eric Linda in a statement.

"These strings of politically motivated murders have made our province a... haven for political murders, which has defocused the progressive forces in the province to lead society and deliver on the electoral promises made to the people of the province."

Linda said the investigation should look into a series of tenders procured by government. It should look into maladministration and corruption.

- SAPA