Inchanga - Two men, believed to be 40 and 60 years old, were shot dead in Inchanga on Sunday, near a venue where it is believed a SACP meeting was being held.
The meeting was apparently held about 3km away from where an ANC ward councillor candidate nomination meeting was being held, fuelling speculation that the killings may have been politically motivated.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman, Brigadier Jay Naicker, said: “It is alleged that there was a community meeting at Kandokweni Sports Ground, Fredville, when a shooting ensued.
“The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage. Three men who were in possession of firearms have been taken in for questioning by police,” he said.
According to residents, the SACP had been announcing over a loudhailer from a vehicle since Friday that they would be hosting a meeting at Kandokweni.
The ANC meeting was held at Michael Gwala community hall to nominate candidates for Ward 4.
Ward 4 ANC councillor, Dennis Shozi, who was at the meeting, said he found out about the shooting only when he left the meeting.
“We heard (no gunshots) and saw nothing,” he said.
According to a resident who lives near the Michael Gwala hall, a SACP meeting was taking place at the same time as the ANC meeting.
“There is little doubt that the SACP held a meeting at the stadium. Everyone in the neighbourhood knows what happened.”
Another source said there was a suspicious car in the area prior to the shooting. All sources asked not to be named for fear of victimisation.
Attempts to reach the SACP for comment were unsuccessful.
African News Agency