Durban - The number of deaths of ANC members in suspected political attacks continued to climb with two more ANC members shot and killed in less than 12 hours.
Bongani Skhosana, 40, a candidate for ward councillor in Harding, southern KZN, was shot dead around 6am on Monday, at his home and in full view of children.
Khanyisile Ngobese Sibisi was shot dead during a Mandela Day event in Ladysmith on Monday afternoon. She was a candidate for Ward 20.
It is understood she was in a car with others when a vehicle went by and shots were fired. Sibisi was the only person killed. Further details were not available on Monday evening.
Sibisi’s and Skhosana’s deaths bring the number of ANC members killed in the past few months to 12. Four have been killed in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, two in Newcastle and others elsewhere in the province.
Last week an ANC branch chairwoman in Edendale, and her children, narrowly escaped death when they came under fire.
Skhosana stood a chance of being elected ward councillor in Ward 1. The ward is currently under the NFP which has been disqualified from the elections after failing to pay the election deposit.
Skhosana’s uncle, Phila Skhosana, said their family was devastated. He said Skhosana left behind a wife and three children, the oldest being 9.
He had a business transporting children to school. Phila said Skhosana was just getting into his car when he was shot and killed. There were three children in the yard, who were among those he was taking to school.
There had been no indication that his nephew’s life was under threat.
“All we know is that he was going to be a leader in this community. This is a great loss to us and to the community.”
Sifiso Maphumulo, branch secretary and a leader of the ANC in the area, said when he arrived Skhosana was lying down next to his car.
“I did not get close to him, but there were three cartridges, so we suspect he was shot three times.”
Another source speculated that the killer was waiting for Skhosana outside his home: “There is a small pathway just outside his house, and he was shot as he tried to get in the car.”
ANC provincial secretary Super Zuma has called on law enforcement agencies to increase their visibility in known hot spots and beef up security plans with the elections less than two weeks ahead.
“We are concerned that as we near local government elections we are losing our ward candidates. What is more saddening is this cowardly act of the killing of our comrades in front of children.”
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Community Safety and Liaison Mxolisi Kaunda said he was shocked by the attack. He said police had been told to bring those responsible to book.
Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi appealed to the community to come forward with information. He said the task team dealing with the political killings was struggling because of a lack of information or witness accounts.
Meanwhile, an ANC constituency office in Richmond was slightly damaged when it was allegedly petrol bombed on Sunday night.
The fire only damaged the reception area and some election material kept there.
Police said a case of arson was opened at the Richmond police station. No arrests had been made.
The Mercury