Johannesburg - The shooting of ANC MP Jackson Mthembu in Witbank at the weekend showed that a lot of work was still needed to reduce crime, Mpumalanga community safety MEC Vusi Shongwe said on Monday.
“He added that it was unfortunate that the incident (occurred) just days after the department had raided Emalahleni and surroundings during an overall Friday programme,” his department said in a statement.
“He said it shows there is still a lot of work that is needed to reduce criminality in the area.”
Shongwe called on police to arrest those who had shot Mthembu.
Mpumalanga police said Mthembu was shot in the face while withdrawing money at an ATM on Mandela Street in Witbank on Sunday.
The office of the African National Congress Chief Whip, however, said Mthembu was shot close-range in the chest and admitted to the Emalahleni private hospital where he was in the intensive care unit.
“Luckily, he was able to drive himself to the close-by hospital, where is under medical supervision,” spokesman Moloto Mothapo said.
Earlier, a family member told The Citizen Online: “It is not clear how many times he was shot, but he is in hospital as we speak. I think the shooting was politically motivated.”
The African National Congress cautioned those who claimed the shooting was politically motivated.
“The ANC cautions against any malicious and misleading statements being made to suggest a political motive in this case and calls on those making such statements to desist from flaming distrust and confusion,” spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.
He said the party had been in contact with Mthembu, who he said was in good spirits.
Parliament's presiding officers, the ANC, the office of its Chief Whip in Parliament, and its alliance partner the Congress of SA Trade Unions expressed shock at the shooting.
The Democratic Alliance and the National Freedom Party also condemned the shooting.
All wished Mthembu a speedy recovery.
Sapa