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The ANC on Monday cautioned those who claimed that the shooting of party MP Jackson Mthembu was politically motivated.
"The ANC cautions against any malicious and misleading statements being made to suggest a political motive in this case and calls on those making such statements to desist from flaming distrust and confusion," spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.
"Criminality of any form and against any individual should never be tolerated and those involved must be brought to book."
Mpumalanga police said Mthembu was shot in the face while he was withdrawing money at an ATM on Mandela Street in Witbank on Sunday.
The office of the African National Congress Chief Whip however said Mthembu was shot close-range in the chest and admitted to the Emalahleni private hospital where he was in the intensive care unit.
Earlier, a family member told the Citizen newspaper: "It is not clear how many times he was shot, but he is in hospital as we speak. I think the shooting was politically motivated."
The ANC and the Chief Whip's office wished Mthembu a speedy recovery.
Kodwa said the party had been in contact with Mthembu, who he said was in good spirits.
Chief Whip spokesman Moloto Mothapo expressed shock on behalf of the Chief Whip at the shooting.
"We are disturbed and infuriated by this mindless and callous act of criminality and implore the police to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those savage thugs face the full might of the law," he said in a statement.
"We once again call upon all communities to partner with the police to root out criminal elements from our society as part of a collective endeavour to create a crime-free society."
A case of armed robbery was opened.
