THE former branch chairman of the ANC in Nkumba in Bulwer was gunned down outside his girlfriend's home on Monday night.
Bulwer falls under the Harry Gwala district - a troubled region which has seen the deaths of at least five ANC councillors or officials affiliated with the party in the past few years.
Nathi Ngcobo is the second official linked to the ANC to be shot dead in the past few days.
A former ANC councillor, Bongani Msomi, was shot dead in Mtubatuba on Saturday. He had been fired by the party for running as an independent before last year’s local government elections.
Ngcobo, who was the assistant to councillors in the Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Municipality in Bulwer, was gunned down as he drove to his girlfriend’s house at about 8.30pm. He died at the scene.
His sister Sthembile Ngcobo said Ngcobo loved politics and was actively involved: “He used to be the branch chairperson but even when he longer held that position he was always involved in politics and talked about it constantly.
“I am not clued up about politics but I would not leave that (the possibility that politics was responsible for his death) because people are getting killed these days.”
Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said a case of murder was being investigated by Bulwer SAPS.
She said, “Three male occupants of a grey VW Polo had opened fire at Ngcobo. He was certified dead at the scene. The motive for the killing is unknown at this stage. We are appealing to anyone who might have information about the suspects to contact the local police or our Crime Stop number - 08600 10111.”