The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) nationally has responded to the allegations made by its member and IFP councillor Lungisani Ntuli, who publicly accused the Umsinga Mayor Mlethi Ndlovu, of killing their colleague councillor Siyanda Magubane. Magubane was shot and killed a week ago while he was in his car with Ntuli. He detailed how everything happened to mourners and remembers seeing a silver grey car with the Mayor Ndlovu holding a gun, shortly after the murder. During the funeral that was held on Ethaweni reserve on Saturday, Ntuli told the mourners that the person who killed Magubane was Ndlovu.
HAIL OF BULLETS
In a video clip that is making rounds on social media, Ntuli is seen telling the Mayor Ndlovu who was part of the bereaved delegates that he was the one who killed Magubane. Ntuli was with Magubane when he was shot and killed in a hail of bullets but survived. "I don't want to beat around the bush, Gatsheni (clan name of Ndlovu) you are the one who killed my brother. You didn't have to kill him that way. I have already provided all the information to the cops," said Ntuli who is under police protection after the incident took place. "The IFP has been made aware of a video wherein councillor Ntuli of Msinga - whilst speaking at the funeral service of slain IFP Msinga councillor Magubane - accused the Mayor of Msinga, of being behind the murder. Ntuli was travelling with the late Magubane in the fatal ambush. The IFP views this latest development in a serious light, and with immediate effect, the IFP Secretary General has dispatched a team of National Council Members to investigate the statements by Ntuli and allegations levelled against Mayor Ndlovu," the statement reads.
HENIOUS CRIME
The IFP further reiterates that the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies investigate the murder of Magubane with urgency and ensure a successful prosecution of those involved in this heinous crime. "The IFP calls for calm and peace as the IFP and SAPS respectively investigate and collaborate in ensuring swift justice. The National Council Team will report back to the Secretary General and the NEC no later than Monday, 26 September 2022; whereafter concrete decisions will be taken based on the report received," reads the statement that was issued by IFP National Spokesperson and member of Parliament, Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
IN FULL VIEW OF COMMUNITY
Recently the IFP asked the KZN Police to leave no stone unturned after the assassination of uMlalazi Local Municipality Communications Manager, Mr Reginald Bongani Ngema, who was gunned down two weeks ago. He was recently appointed into the management position, Ngema was gunned down by unknown assailants, in full view of community members, next to Siza's Total Petrol Station and eShowe College. The assailants allegedly fled the scene in a private car. The same suspects allegedly fired random gunshots near the home of former IFP affiliated mayor Stan "Magibela" Larkan. On the eve of these shootings, the bodyguard of the King Cetshwayo District Municipal Manager was also gunned down at Eshowe Mall. These ongoing violent killings are committed in broad daylight, in full view of bystanders.
FEW KILLERS CONVICTED
Mary De Haas, who has been monitoring the KZN killings, says "We are a very violent society and few killers are convicted especially when hitmen are used. When councillors are killed it is usually because of struggles going on over resources like tenders or because there may be attempts to stop corruption being exposed. Some may have business interests such as taxis so may be linked to that or even personal relationships. It is impossible to know for sure what motives are unless there are court cases following prosecutions and few of these cases end up in court like other crime it continues because of very serious problems with our criminal justice system."
