Durban - The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Emalahleni Regional deputy chairman, Wandile Ngubeni, was gunned down in a suspected hit on the region’s League leadership on Sunday evening.
Ngubeni and the region’s secretary, Mafika Mndebele, were in the company of their comrades when two men opened fire, killing Ngubeni and critically wounding Mndebele.
The police confirmed the incident and said the motive was not known, but that murder and attempted murder cases were being investigated.
The league in the region and the province believe this was a hit, but neither gave details of the unfolding of events or who they suspect was behind the shooting.
A source said the incident happened at Ekasi Food Court in Madadeni location, Newcastle, and alleged there were squabbles for leadership in that region.
He said although a full report had not been made available yet, there was apparently an exchange of words between Mndebele and a man.
The man then stepped out of the establishment and returned in a short while accompanied by a second man.
“The two comrades were in the company of other regional executive, ANCYL and ANC members when this happened. This is disturbing given that there have been issues of leadership squabbles in that region,” the source said.
He said Ngubeni had played a pivotal role in assisting leadership to “bring the bad apples to book”.
“There have been investigations, and some are still ongoing, against members who sow divisions in the leadership of the league in the region,” said the source.
“He was never scared to point and provide information against those who sought to destroy the league, the regional leadership and the mother body (ANC).”
He said recently comrades were delegated by the province to run the regional office because of the scramble for leadership.
Neither the regional nor the provincial leadership could be reached for comment last night.
In a statement posted on Emacous Siphiwe Moyo’s Facebook wall on Monday, the League’s regional leadership decried the killing of the “young” leader and the attempt on the life of the other.
“The hit also left the Regional Secretary of the ANCYL in Emalahleni Region seriously wounded after sustaining two bullet wounds. Some other REC members and members of the ANCYL and ANC in attendance were equally devastated beyond measure. He was amongst the few remaining principled, loyal and honest leaders of the ANCYL, YCL and ANC. His leadership style and political posture personified his credential to serve the movement with altruism,” the statement read.
The provincial structure of the youth league issued a statement calling on Community Safety and Liason MEC Willis Mchunu to establish a specialised task team to investigate the attack.
Daily News