Johannesburg - The mother of an ANC member shot and killed during a scuffle between party factions at the Tshwane Events Centre over a week ago wants the suspect arrested for the murder to be jailed for life.
Simon Modihe, 38, was shot and died at Steve Biko Academic Hospital after tensions soared at the venue, where ANC members were to be briefed on the nomination of Thoko Didiza as the city's mayoral candidate in the August 3 elections.
His mother Magdeline Modihe said: “The suspect must be given a life term. He must spend the same amount of time in prison as Simon will spend in heaven. He should only be released when Simon returns.”
Modihe said the death has left a void in their lives. She was speaking after an ANC delegate visited her Stinkwater home yesterday. She said their visit gave the family some sense of closure.
Among the delegates were outgoing mayor and regional ANC leader Kgosientso Ramokgopa, Didiza, and MMC for Roads and Transport George Matjila.
“I was encouraged by their words. I will miss my child. He was the umbrella of the family. He shielded us.
“If anything happened, he was there. He was able to mediate and give advice to resolve problems,” said Modihe.
Police spokeswoman Colonel Noxolo Kweza said the 36-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday and will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court soon.
Ramokgopa said the visit was to illustrate their solidarity with Simon’s family. “We went to pledge our solidarity with the family just to say that Simon’s death has not been in vain.”
Didiza also applauded and reaffirmed Ramokgopa’s promises and said the party would not halt any of the projects.
“The services in the capital will continue. Problems that the ANC was trying to address in Hammanskraal with the issue of water, roads will continue,” she said.
Meanwhile, ANC national spokesman Zizi Kodwa welcomed the arrest of the murder suspect and commended police on their swift action to bring perpetrators to book.
Pretoria News