The KwaZulu-Natal branch of African National Congress on Friday welcomed a court ruling that found a police officer guilty of murdering party MP Bheki Mkhize last July.
Sergeant SP Buthelezi, who was based at Ulundi at the time of the killing, was found guilty on Thursday by a Pietermaritzburg High Court judge.
Mkhize was killed at his homestead in Mahlabathini near Ulundi last July when police swooped on the area in search of illegal firearms. He was killed by a single shot from an R5 assault rifle.
Provincial spokesperson Dumisani Makhaye said the party hoped the conviction would send a clear message to those who abused their positions to commit murder and other serious crimes against the people they were employed to protect.
"The murder of any person is unacceptable. The murder of a public representative is even much more unacceptable," he said.
Since 1994 two ANC MPs - Mkhize and Robert Mthembu - have been killed in KwaZulu-Natal.
Makhaye called on police to speed up investigations into Mthembu's murder.
Meanwhile the Inkatha Freedom Party said in a statement that it would respect the court's ruling.
IFP national organiser Albert Mncwango said: "As a party we have always argued that the law must be allowed to take its course without any interference, regardless of who is involved in the case.
"What we object to, are people who try to gag witnesses or intimidate the courts when the are not happy with court proceedings."
Mncwango commended the police for their efficiency while working on the case.
"We want to urge them, however, to display the same zeal and efficiency in all cases." - Sapa