The murder of ANC regional secretary David Chika represents barbarism of the worst kind, the SA Communist Party said on Friday.
“We strongly condemn this incident as it has no place in our democracy, but above all in our ANC-led revolutionary alliance,” said North West spokesman Smuts Matshe.
He said the murder underlined the seriousness of the political situation of the North West.
Matshe said the shooting occurred within weeks after the car of SACP provincial secretary Madoda Sambatha was burnt at his home, the attempted murder of ANC provincial secretary Kabelo Mataboge, and the continuous death threats to Congress of SA Trade Unions' (Cosatu) provincial secretary, Solly Phetoe.
Chika was gunned down outside his house in Alabama, Klerksdorp on Friday morning.
“No other people were injured in the shooting... A murder docket has been opened,” said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.
David Mosiane Chika, 33, stopped his vehicle at the gate at 1am and told his wife not to leave the house because he had seen someone lurking outside. He went to investigate.
Ngubane said Chika's wife heard a gunshot followed by footsteps. Someone jumped the fence and ran to a car parked outside the yard.
She screamed for help and went to check on her husband.
Neighbours helped her take him to Klerksdorp Hospital, but he was certified dead shortly after arrival.
“The deceased had one bullet wound in the stomach,” said Ngubane.
Matshe called on all SACP members to be calm and avoid making unfounded allegations or jumping to misleading conclusions.
“As the SACP, we have confidence in the SA Police Service to bring the perpetrators to book. To the perpetrators we call on them to hand themselves over to the police, as they cannot survive the thorough investigations of the SAPS.”
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the shooting was a reflection of people fighting for positions in the party.
“People think if you are in a particular position you are an obstacle. They want to remove you.”
Chika was from the Kenneth Kaunda region, Mantashe said in a televised business briefing. - Sapa