Cape Town - A DA activist, forced to flee his home following alleged death threats from ANC supporters, is uncertain about his return to the area.
Luzuko Mngqibisa, a DA Youth chairman in Gugulethu, lost most of his clothing when his shack in Tambo Square was set alight in the early hours of Saturday morning.
He was inside the shack at the time.
Speaking to the Cape Times on Monday, Mngqibisa said he feared going back after death threats were made. He would not say where he was seeking refuge, fearing he would be attacked.
He said the people who had set his shack alight had left him a note, saying he would get a bullet if he continued recruiting residents to the DA.
A portable toilet and rubbish were left in front of his home, along with the note. Inside the damaged shack, Mngqibisa and his neighbours found a broken bottle and fabric that had been doused in petrol.
Although residents said they did not see who was responsible for the attack, Mngqibisa said he had been approached by a person who gave him information about his attackers.
“He said people had told him this incident was just the beginning and that they would be coming back for me. They told this person that they would kill me. This person is also scared of coming forward with this information because he might get attacked. So I had to leave,” Mngqibisa said.
“In the note they said they did not want to kill me because I was still young. But (that) I would get a bullet if I did not stop recruiting people for the DA. I’m scared of going back.”
Police spokesman Andre Traut confirmed that police were investigating a case of arson, but were yet to make arrests.
Mngqibisa has been a member of the DA since 2009 after he moved to Cape Town from Cofimvaba in Eastern Cape. His parents had been supporters of the party since 2008.
DA leader Helen Zille’s chief of staff, Geordin Hill-Lewis, said the party had ensured that Mngqibisa had a safe place to stay outside the area. “We have reported the matter to the police. We will follow the investigation closely because we want the perpetrators to be brought to book.
“It is completely unacceptable. It is in the constitution; people have a right to association with whomever they want.
“We know that this incident is part of the ANC Youth League’s ungovernability campaign which has been condemned by the national ANC,” Hill-Lewis said.
Cape Times