North West EFF elects convicted murderers to executive council

The North West EFF has elected two convicted murderers into its top provincial structure

The Star newspaper reported on Thursday that Economic Freedom Fighters MPL Papiki Babuile was sentenced to 12 years for murder, and eight months for conspiracy to murder, in the High Court in Pretoria sitting in Stilfontein last month.

He was a part of gang convicted of the murder of rival politician, David Chika, who was the ANC's regional secretary, on the eve of the ruling party's Mangaung conference which kept President Jacob Zuma in power.

Babuile wanted Zuma removed.

The court found that Babuile did not fire the fatal shot -- this was done by one of his accomplices, William Lesole Malefo and three others, who were all sentenced to life terms.

Both Babuile and Malefo were elected to the EFF provincial executive council in the North West, conference goers told The Star after the weekend event in Rustenburg.

EFF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi confirmed to the daily newspaper Malefo's nomination into the executive committee.

"Babuile was elected because his conviction and sentence were under review. He is in jail because he has not been able to secure bail," Ndlozi was quoted as saying.

But the National Prosecuting Authority said his application for leave to appeal was rejected.