Cops probe 30 instances of political violence linked to elections

29 July 2016 - 12:59 By Genevieve Quintal

There have been a number of murders of political party members and councillor candidates ahead of this year's municipal election‚ with the African National Congress being the worst-hit.The situation became so grave that Police Minister Nathi Nhleko established a task team to investigate the so-called political killings.The murders seemed to be sparked by the nomination processes for candidates contesting the election.African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said people treated the nomination process as a "life-and-death situation"‚ some were prepared to kill in order to keep there position.In KwaZulu-Natal alone‚ the ANC has had 13 members gunned down. It was not clear if this was due to inter- or intra-party fighting.Man accused of assault in Xolobeni is ANC election candidateThe Inkatha Freedom Party and the National Freedom Party‚ which will not be contesting this election‚ have also had members killed but this has been blamed on inter-party rivalry.The national task team set up Nhleko gave a report back this week on its investigations into the killings.Nhleko said police were investigating 30 instances of political violence ahead of next week's elections‚ of which 14 cases related to murder and attempted murder.Here is a breakdown of instances in different provinces.KwaZulu-Natal:Nhleko said there had been seven arrests in the province for murder‚ two for attempted murder and three for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The National Prosecuting Authority is assisting with prosecutions and police continued to investigate cases.The ANC in the province has called on Premier Willies Mchunu to set up a inquiry into the murders‚ after the party lost at least 13 members in the last four months.Gauteng:An ANC member was shot and killed in Tshwane by another member from a rival faction. This was ahead of the announcement that Thoko Didiza would be the party's mayoral candidate in the capital city.This sparked violent protests in a number of the city's townships in which five people were killed.A person was arrested for the shooting at the Tshwane showgrounds in June. The suspect had appeared in court and was out on bail. His case would be beard in August.North West:One case of murder was being investigated in Maboloka. Nhleko said no arrests had been made.An ANC member‚ Thabo Moroa‚ was reportedly killed during factional battles over the ANC's candidate nomination process.Eastern Cape:The task team noted a murder in Tsolo in which a councillor and two other suspects were arrested.On Tuesday‚ an ANC ward councillor candidate was killed in Port Elizabeth - the most recent of the political killings.Mpumalanga:A case of murder was reported in May‚ but Nhleko said but no arrests had been made and the matter was still being investigated.Michael Phelembe‚ known as Zane‚ was reportedly shot and killed at his home in Pienaar outside Nelspruit. He was the ANC branch deputy chairman in Ward 23. A friend of his reportedly claimed that Phelembe knew about a hit list he was on. – TMG Digital/BDlive..

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