A “confession” by an alleged hitman who claimed there was a plot to assassinate a Eastern Cape DA activist has led to the arrest of an ANC leader in King William’s Town.
The chairman of the ANC’s Wellington Bongco branch in Ndevana, Stanley Menzelwa, was released on warning after appearing in the Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
He stands accused of organising a hit on the ward’s DA branch chairwoman, Thando Xothongo, and her mother Zoleka.
He faces conspiracy to commit murder charges, which he has vehemently denied, calling it a “plot” against him over debt.
The self-proclaimed would-be hitman, Mawethu Yolelo, 53, said he approached Xothongo about the plans.
He gave a statement to police on Sunday claiming Menzelwa promised to pay him and an unnamed man R5000 each to kill Xothongo and her mother, as the two were a “nuisance” to the ANC.
Xothongo’s mother is also in the DA.
Menzelwa was arrested on Sunday.
Yolelo, who claims to be an ANC member, told the Dispatch he had told the police that the plans to take out Xothongo were first hatched in December while he was working for Menzelwa – who has a construction business.
“He told me they were an obstacle and that they were causing a rift in the community by recruiting for their party.
“He then asked me if I had any plans to deal with them. When I shook my head, he said he had a plan,” said Yolelo, recounting the contents of his statement.
The arrest was confirmed yesterday by police spokeswoman Lieutenant Siphokazi Mawisa.
But Menzelwa, 46, yesterday accused Yolelo of lying in a bid to tarnish his name because of money he owed Yolelo.
“We have had no problems with the DA. I never said I wanted to kill . Why would I do that?
“I am friends with her brother. This is not true,” said Menzelwa.
Xothongo, 33, said she had been shocked. “I know there had been many differences since we launched our branch last year, but I just could not believe this.
“I was shaking and scared,” she said.
The mother of one said the DA branch was formed in the ward last year. She was elected as chair in February and the party has since gained 140 members.
“My family is traumatised by these threats. Even my daughter insists on sharing my bed now.
“The residents are also scared. We don’t know what these people will do next because last year posters were put up at all the DA members’ homes with insults on them.
“My mother, who was ANC before, is a member of the DA now and that is how she became a target too,” she said.
The ANC’s Dr WB Rubusana region (formerly BCM region) secretary Pumlani Mkolo yesterday said he was not aware of Menzelwa’s arrest.
Mkolo said the party would investigate the matter before commenting.
DA MP and Ndevana constituency leader Terri Stander yesterday said to offer “a meagre amount” of R5000 for a hit showed someone who “values life very cheaply”. — asandan@dispatch.co.za / mamelag@dispatch.co.za
ANC man held for ‘DA hit'
The chairman of the ANC’s Wellington Bongco branch in Ndevana, Stanley Menzelwa, was released on warning after appearing in the Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
He stands accused of organising a hit on the ward’s DA branch chairwoman, Thando Xothongo, and her mother Zoleka.
He faces conspiracy to commit murder charges, which he has vehemently denied, calling it a “plot” against him over debt.
The self-proclaimed would-be hitman, Mawethu Yolelo, 53, said he approached Xothongo about the plans.
He gave a statement to police on Sunday claiming Menzelwa promised to pay him and an unnamed man R5000 each to kill Xothongo and her mother, as the two were a “nuisance” to the ANC.
Xothongo’s mother is also in the DA.
Menzelwa was arrested on Sunday.
Yolelo, who claims to be an ANC member, told the Dispatch he had told the police that the plans to take out Xothongo were first hatched in December while he was working for Menzelwa – who has a construction business.
“He told me they were an obstacle and that they were causing a rift in the community by recruiting for their party.
“He then asked me if I had any plans to deal with them. When I shook my head, he said he had a plan,” said Yolelo, recounting the contents of his statement.
The arrest was confirmed yesterday by police spokeswoman Lieutenant Siphokazi Mawisa.
But Menzelwa, 46, yesterday accused Yolelo of lying in a bid to tarnish his name because of money he owed Yolelo.
“We have had no problems with the DA. I never said I wanted to kill . Why would I do that?
“I am friends with her brother. This is not true,” said Menzelwa.
Xothongo, 33, said she had been shocked. “I know there had been many differences since we launched our branch last year, but I just could not believe this.
“I was shaking and scared,” she said.
The mother of one said the DA branch was formed in the ward last year. She was elected as chair in February and the party has since gained 140 members.
“My family is traumatised by these threats. Even my daughter insists on sharing my bed now.
“The residents are also scared. We don’t know what these people will do next because last year posters were put up at all the DA members’ homes with insults on them.
“My mother, who was ANC before, is a member of the DA now and that is how she became a target too,” she said.
The ANC’s Dr WB Rubusana region (formerly BCM region) secretary Pumlani Mkolo yesterday said he was not aware of Menzelwa’s arrest.
Mkolo said the party would investigate the matter before commenting.
DA MP and Ndevana constituency leader Terri Stander yesterday said to offer “a meagre amount” of R5000 for a hit showed someone who “values life very cheaply”. — asandan@dispatch.co.za / mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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