Johannesburg -
An Inkatha Freedom Party official and an African National Congress official were injured in KwaZulu-Natal in what appeared to be assassination attempts over the weekend, party leaders said on Sunday.
The two were targeted in separate attacks on Saturday, provincial community safety and liaison MEC Willies Mchunu and IFP national chairman Blessed Gwala said.
KwaZulu-Natal police could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mchunu said a man shot and wounded local ANC branch treasurer Thandiwe Gumede at Block B1 at Glebe Hostel in Durban.
“She was rushed to hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition,” Mchunu said in a statement.
“No arrest has been made so far but police have confirmed that they are investigating the matter.”
It was believed the violence was triggered by disputes over housing and bed allocations in the hostel.
“The current situation in Glebe is unacceptable. We urge all peace-loving residents to denounce violence and intimidation,” Mchunu said.
Meanwhile, the IFP’s candidate for the Ward 12 by-election in the Newcastle area, Thanduyise Norman Mkhwanazi, was stabbed four times outside his house at around 7am. Nothing was stolen from him.
“For us, to see a candidate moving outside his house and stabbed at the gate, it shows something sinister,” Gwala said in a separate statement.
“It appeared to be politically motivated, so they disadvantage the IFP as we move towards the by-elections taking place on September 17.
“We view such incidents as assaults on our hard-fought for democracy.” - Sapa