DURBAN - Friends of slain ANC councillor Sindiso Magaqa are facing death threats for speaking out about the alleged corruption and mismanagement of funds in the uMzimkhulu municipality.
Former Harry Gwala ANC Youth League leader Thabiso Zulu and his ANC associate Less Stuta lambasted the state for failing to protect them after they provided damning evidence to the Moerane commission, which has been probing political killings in the province.
Zulu has spoken about what he believed led to Magaqa’s murder. Stuta is yet to testify. Zulu and his family have constantly had to move house.
“This is not the life I chose for me or my family. We live like prisoners. It gets really hard when I have to tell my kids they cannot walk freely because our lives are under threat.”
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He said advocate Marumo Moerane had promised witnesses would be protected and given psychological counselling, but that had not happened. But despite the threats, Zulu said he was determined to provide the information he has to expose the corruption in the municipality.
Stuta has also been vocal about allegations of corruption associated with Magaqa’s assassination.
“I have survived numerous murder attempts in my home. I sometimes get calls, but when I answer nobody is on the line. I am being followed by unregistered cars. This has been our life,” he said.
Commission secretary Sollo Mdledle could not be reached for comment. Advocate Moerane said he could not comment as he was attending meetings in Swaziland.