Durban - The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has called for its members to remain calm and allow police to investigate the killing of a member, and the injury of another after they were shot at Jacob’s Hostel, near Umlazi, on Sunday.
Party national chairman, Blessed Gwala, said the party had launched a branch at the hostel and in the early evening, while members were celebrating a successful launch, gunshots were fired.
Nicholas Bhengu was killed, while Thanduyise Mnyandu was hospitalised after he was hit. It is not clear at this stage how many times the two men were hit.
“Some are saying the shots were fired from a window at the upper level of the hostel, while others say the shots were fired from the crowed. We don’t know the motive for the shooting. We don’t want to say it is politically motivated because that itself could be dangerous. We call for calm, we don’t want to incite violence,” Gwala said.
Provincial MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, deplored the incident.
“This is troubling news. It is disturbing and regrettable that members of political parties are targeted by criminals. Incidents like this have the potential to undermine the gains made in bringing about political stability and tolerance in the province,” said Mchunu.
He urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the police.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Jay Naicker, said:
“Investigations are on-going and we hope that witnesses will come forward and co-operate with the investigation.”
Daily News