Killers will stop at nothing, says councillor

Durban - The IFP KwaMashu councillor who has survived two attempts on his life in 72 hours fears that his attackers will stop at nothing to kill him.

“Where are we suppose to stay now if we have people gunning us down at broad daylight?” asked

an angry, visibly shaken Sakhi Ngcamu on Tuesday. “These people are now hunting me down,” he said of the brazen attackers who had opened fire at the A-Section hostel where he lives.

An IFP supporter and friend of Ngcamu, who cannot yet be named, was killed after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds in Tuesday’s attack at about 9am.

“He died while trying to run away from the people that were attacking us,” he said.

Another IFP member, Sphamehlo Ngema, was injured when about 10 men carrying rifles attacked them. Ngema sustained a single shot in his head, but was in a stable condition.

Ngcamu who, along with senior IFP members, convened an urgent meeting with local police, said that although he was alarmed, he would remain in the area to serve the community which had elected him.

“I’ve only been a councillor for just two months and I’ve already been attacked twice. If it was the community that wanted me to vacate my position, then I would leave immediately, but I know that these attacks are politically driven,” he said.

Ngcamu’s friend, Bheki Nxumalo, who was with him in both attacks, said the bullet that hit Ngema had narrowly missed him.

Nxumalo said that he had been sitting outside with about eight people when he saw the group of gun-wielding men approaching.

Ngcamu was bathing inside the hostel.

“There were children and woman also sitting outside, but the suspects just started firing. Sphamehlo was running in front of him when the bullet hit him in the head. It narrowly missed my face,” he said.

Nxumalo said that his pregnant wife wanted the couple to move from the area.

“But I can’t leave my comrades here while they’re being attacked,” he said.

IFP national organiser, Mfanje Mbangwa, said the party would look at moving Ngcamu from the area. “He’s not safe here. We’ll get the directive from him,” he said.

Ngcamu was elected two months ago to replace a murdered colleague, Themba Xulu.

Xulu was kidnapped in October by five men who had claimed to be policemen from Pinetown. His body was found two days later at a tea estate in Inanda by passers-by. He had been shot several times.

Police spokesman, Captain Thulani Zwane, said that no arrests had been made in connection with Tuesday’s attack. A murder and attempted murder case had been opened, he said.

Police would continue to monitor the situation.

nondumiso.mbuyazi@inl.co.za

Daily News