Prominent Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leaders who owned taxis ordered the 1991 murder of former South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) leader Sam Ntuli, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) heard on Monday.
Stephen Themba Zimu of Thokoza on the East Rand told the TRC's amnesty committee that Ntuli was killed because his murderers felt he was disrupting their business by constantly organising strikes and stay-aways in the township. Ntuli was gunned down in front of his Thokoza home.
Zimu, Themba Mlaba and Zwile Chamane are seeking amnesty for several incidents including a spate of murders - those of Ntuli, Sanco leader Vusi Shabalala and five Katlehong residents - between 1991 and 1993.
Zimu said the conspiracy against Ntuli started when IFP leaders Bishop Mbhekiseni Khumalo and his brother, Mphikeleli Khumalo, both successful taxi operators, called for a plan to be made about Ntuli.
Khumalo and his son, Mziwakhe Khumalo, withdrew their amnesty applications just before the hearings resumed. Several secret meetings were held at the homes of Khumalo and Abraham Mzizi.
Zimu, Khumalo's taxi driver, was ordered to keep Ntuli's movements under surveillance, and to organise the theft of two vehicles to be used in the murder. Both getaway vehicles were stolen from the Pick 'n Pay and Checkers parking lots in Alberton.
The attack did not happen on the day it had originally been scheduled because the hitmen could not find Ntuli at the place Zimu had pointed out.
Zimu was arrested in connection with a separate incident soon afterwards. The murder was carried out in his absence.
Zimu said Shabalala was killed for succeeding Ntuli. A fellow employee at the Thokoza town council, Obed Radebe, had betrayed him.
Zimu said the murder took place soon after Zimu's release from prison.
Soon after Shabalala succeeded Ntuli, Zimu was ordered to park his taxi near the council offices on the planned day and ensure Shabalala did not board any taxi other than his.
This was made easy by Radebe, who signalled to Zimu that Shabalala was about to go home. Three vehicles followed the taxi, and attacked Shabalala when he got off near his home.
Under cross-examination, Zimu said that like all Phenduka Section residents, he had been forced to join the IFP as only the organisation's members were allowed to stay in its stronghold.
Interviewed later, Mzizi rejected Zimu's claims, saying he did not even know the applicants.
He complained the TRC did not follow the procedure of notifying him and his wife that they would be implicated, adding they were prepared to clear their names. Mzizi said Khumalo's withdrawal of his application was an individual decision and had nothing to do with the IFP. The hearing continues. - Sapa