Durban - The mourners at the funeral of slain SACP activist from Inchanga, Nontsikelelo Blose, heard on Sunday that she had declined an offer to be on the witness protection programme – despite her life being in danger.
“The investigating officer said to Nsi (nickname for Blose) ‘you must join the witness protection programme’, but she said: ‘they will find me with my children at my house’,” close friend and comrade, Wandile Nxumalo, said in reference to those that might have wished to kill her.
Nxumalo, the son of former eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo, made the statement when he addressed mourners at Blose’s funeral on Sunday, while another funeral – of ANC member Xolani Ngcobo – was held kilometres away.
Blose was a witness to one of the murder cases that arose from the political violence that had raged in the area since the start of this year.
During his address, the young Nxumalo recalled Blose asking what had to be done to stop the murderers who were freely roaming the community.
“These people won’t let go as long they are with us in the community, while there are still shootings, day and night.
“We know who these people are by their names, and by seeing them. We know who is killing us,” he said.
Nxumalo went on to ask rhetorically: “who must die in order that the organisation (ANC) is all right?”
However, it appeared that the community has been living in fear since the outbreak of the violence a week ago.
James Nxumalo told of some families who had sought refuge at his house for fear of their lives.
“I live with people who fled from their homes. They want to go back to their homes,” he said.
Lindokuhle Shangase, a relative of Blose, who has to commute on foot to a construction company, said he feared for his life.
“I have fears whenever I see a suspicious stationary vehicle,” said Shangase, adding that he sang prayers whenever he found himself in such situations.
Nxumalo said the police should investigate all those behind last week’s incidents, including those who torched houses, and suggested that those engaged in criminal activities not be granted bail.
“They do not deserve to be in the community, because they hide behind party colours.”
Nxumalo said no more rival people should be beaten and no houses should be torched.
He, however, asked the community to seriously think about who could be behind the political violence in Inchanga.
“In Richmond, people were killed, leaders were killed and then there were massacres. It later emerged that Sifiso Nkabinde was behind this,” he said.
“Let us check if we don’t have our own Nkabinde, so that we can have safety here,” Nxumalo added.
He also wondered about those killed in Inchanga after being witnesses to murder cases.
“The question is: how will it be when the trials begin?”
Thulas Nxesi, SACP national deputy chairman, said law enforcement agencies should ensure the safety of the community, and that there should be consequences for murderers.
“A murderer should not kill and think they will run away. There must be consequences.”
Speaking at Ngcobo’s funeral, ANC regional secretary, Bheki Ntuli, said they wanted the Inchanga police replaced by competent personnel.
“There have been political tensions in Inchanga since 2014, but the police do not have a plan to manage this,” Ntuli said.
He said the ANC would have to relook at the ages of the serving officers, because some could not chase suspects over a distance.
“They left the family to deal with the death of their loved one; they did not stay with them after their loved one was killed. They just went to confirm the death and left them there alone,” Ntuli said, in reference to the Ngcobo murder.