uMgababa ANC campaign shooting
Bongani Hans|Published
Several speculations are running wild about the circumstances surrounding the murder of two ANC leaders in uMgababa, South of Durban, who were killed execution-style while participating in a door-to-door local government election campaign this week.
Lungani Makhathini, an Induna under the uMnini Traditional Council, and ANC Ward 98 election co-ordinator, and a 28-year-old ANC volunteer Nokuthula Mavundla were fatally shot while campaigning on Thursday.
While Makhathini was killed while campaigning for ANC candidate Zibuyile Dimba in eThekwini’s Ward 98, some residents believed his murder was linked to a traditional leadership dispute.
According to the IOL, Makhathini survived an attack in February that left him injured by bullets. The February incident, which allegedly targeted him, claimed the life of ANC Ward 67 branch convener Sipho Dlamini. Makhathini, Dlamini and bodyguards were driving from an ANC event when they were fired upon.
Because the attack occurred during an ANC’s door-to-door campaign, speculation arose that this was another politically motivated murder.
However, local sources pointed to three circumstances that might have been the motive.
“Although this guy (Makhathini) was in the ANC, he was also an Induna, in a disputed position, and a chairperson of an SGB, where there were also leadership challenges. Right now there are ongoing court cases over who holds the right to be inkosi,” the source said.
He said Inkosi Mazwendoda Luthuli, recently received a certificate affirming that he was the rightful heir to his father departed father Inkosi Phathisizwe, who passed away in March. However, certain people took the matter to court, opposing Inkosi Mazwendoda, who was backed by Makhathini.
“Mazwendoda is recognised as the Inkosi, but there are people who say that he is not legitimate,” the source said.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police have opened two murder and three attempted murder dockets.
“A man and a woman were allegedly shot and killed at Area 24 in uMgababa on Thursday afternoon. Reports indicate that two women and one man from a political party and their two bodyguards were on a door-to-door campaign when a white Isuzu bakkie approached them from behind.
“The occupants of the bakkie reportedly opened fire on the five using rifles and pistols,” said Netshiunda.
He said the two were declared dead at the scene, and one woman was injured.
“The two bodyguards fled the scene and are yet to be found.
“The motive for the killing is unknown, but political intolerance cannot be ruled out,” said Netshiunda.
Mavundla’s brother, Msawenkosi Mavundla, said on Friday that his sister was possibly not the assassins' target.
“We know that Makhathini had many enemies. It is painful because she left behind a child, and we don’t know when these guns that are killing people who are not involved are going to be removed,” said Mavundla.
An ANC volunteer, who witnessed the shooting, said it happened when they were walking in a group door-to-door.
“As we were knocking at one of the houses, we heard repeated gunshots, and when we asked what was happening, neighbours said they suspected a carjacking,” the witness said.
ANC’s eThekwini Regional Task Team convenor Thabani Nyawose, who is also the municipal speaker, called on the police to go deep.
“So that the ANC can understand whether this attack was directed at us or if there are other motives,” said Nyawose.
In February, the now-late Inkosi Phathisizwe, who also feared for his life, told IOL that he did not believe that Dlamini’s death was politically related, saying he suspected Makhathini was the target because of his involvement in traditional leadership disputes.
The murder of ANC leaders across the country, including eThekwini’s Ward 17 councillor Sibusiso Khwela who was gunned down at his Klaarwater office in Mariannhill in August, has raised concern within the party.
An ANC regional co-ordinator Thanduxolo Sabelo expressed doubts that this was a politically motivated attack.
He said Makhathini had been his personal friend who for many years dedicated his life to the ANC.
“I grew up with Lungani (Makhathini) in the structures of the ANC Youth League. He was a very close friend of mine from the time we studied agriculture together.”
He described Makhathini as a down-to-earth person, but very firm in decision-making, and a hard worker. “He loved the ANC, and he would do anything to support the ANC.
“In the previous local government ANC nominations, he contested the current councillor, Arther Njokweni, who won. But after he was defeated, Makhathini went all out to campaign for Njokweni because it was not about himself, but about the ANC,” said Sabelo.
He said Makhathini also unsuccessfully contested the current ANC ward candidate, Dimba.
“The results were disputed as there was no agreement over who won (the nomination) between them, but after it was declared that he did not win, he went on to campaign for the person he contested because of his love of the ANC,” said Sabelo.
bongani.hans@nationalmg.co.za