Bongani Lushaba, an Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) member, was shot dead yesterday on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said no motive for the murder had yet been established. Naicker confirmed that a number of AK47 cartridges were recovered.
This is just the latest in a series of apparently politically-motivated killings in the province. At the weekend, IFP member Themba Xulu was abducted from KwaMashu. His body was found on Sunday near Durban.
Harris Mkhwanazi is to appear in the Durban Regional Court tomorrow over the murder of ANC councillor Mthembeni Shezi and attempted murder of branch deputy chairman Sbu Mpanza and ward committee member Bulelani Mjoli.
The IFP’s Blessed Gwala said political tension was high. He feared that IFP members believed rogue cops may be involved in the murder of politicians.
“There is no doubt following the murder of Shezi and the kidnapping and murder of Xulu that people are being targeted and murdered because of their political affiliations.
What makes things very dangerous is that the people who kidnapped and murdered Themba Xulu paraded around as if they were police, wearing police uniforms and claiming to be police.”
At the time of his abduction and murder, Xulu was out on bail of R10 000 for the attempted murder of National Freedom Party member Qashana Dlamini and for vandalising the home of Bungu Gwala, another NFP councillor.
Two weeks ago Zakhene Gwala, Bhungu’s son, was shot dead at the family’s KwaMashu home.
Yesterday Durban’s Daily News said mourners at the funeral had vowed to avenge his death by murdering his killers.
In a separate case, a third man appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court charged with the murder of two ANC politicians, Oshabeni branch chairman Dumisani Malunga, 42, and branch secretary Bheki Chiliza, 39, who were gunned down on their way home from a meeting.
Alex Mbele appeared in court briefly.
His case was postponed until October 19 for Mbele to make a bail application.
Mbele was named as the hitman by ANC Youth League chairman Sifiso Khumalo. Khumalo has pleaded guilty to organising the murder of Malunga who he feared would be nominated to stand in a municipal by-election in which he wanted to stand.
According to his testimony, Khumalo’s friend and co-accused Samuel Cele hired a hitman from the taxi industry.
Khumalo said Chiliza was shot dead when Mbele found him with Malunga and decided to kill them both.