Durban councillors found guilty for hit on activist

20 May 2016 - 14:41 By Taschica Pillay

Two Durban councillors were convicted on Friday morning of murdering 36-year-old housing rights activist Thuli Ndlovu in September 2014.Appearing the Durban High Court‚ proportional representation councillor Velile Lutyeku and Ward 12 councillor Mduduzi Ngcobo were found guilty of arranging the killing of Ndlovu‚ who was chairperson of the KwaNdengezi branch of the Abahlali baseMjondolo shack dwellers movement.Mlungisu Ndlovu‚ the hit man hired by the pair‚ was also convicted of the crime.Nldovu was shot seven times while she was watching TV at her home in KwaNdengezi‚ a touwnship west of Durban.In the days leading up to her death‚ she reportedly told friends and family that her life was in danger because of threats made by her political enemies.The Abahlali baseMjondolo movement has been at loggerheads with various municipal councils over housing demands‚ and Ndlovu had been vocal in her opposition to people from outside the area occupying RDP houses.Shortly after Judge Johan Ploos van Amstel found Lutyeku‚ Ngcobo and Ndlovu guilty‚ Abahlali supporters sang and danced on the street outside the court. – TMG Digital/Sunday Times..

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