An ANC councillor touted to became mayor or speaker in an ANC run municipality was shot dead with his wife on Thursday night in the presence of their grandchildren.
Mhlontlo’s Zolile Malangeni, 54, and his wife, Zolile Malangeni, were killed at their home in Mayaluleni village outside Tsolo.
At time of his death, Malangeni was a senior manager at Ntinga Development Agency, which is attached to the OR Tambo district municipality
Regional leaders including chairman Xolile Nkompela and secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi and other members were at the hospital when Malangeni was pronounced dead at about 10pm on Thursday.
Malangeni, who was also the chairman of the ANC’s Walter Mzingisi Dazana branch in Mhlontlo’s Ward 7, was hailed as a uniting figure of the branch and a “peace loving comrade”.
Nkompela described him as a “very brilliant comrade, a people’s person, and a unifying factor – an administrator of note.
“Malangeni’s name was one of those nominated by the region to be mayor or the council speaker.
“The ANC has been dealt a heavy blow and so has the Mhlontlo municipality.
“The reason why we called him again was because of the good work he had done for the municipality during his term.”
Nkompela called on ANC members and the community to be calm and have confidence in the police and justice system, which he said were best placed to deal with the matter.
Nkompela said the motive for the killing was not yet known.
“I hope and pray that was not influenced by the fights over lucrative positions,” Nkompela said.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela confirmed the shooting and said they were looking for three gunmen.
“It is alleged that three men kicked open the door and shot the husband and wife in the upper body and .
“Police found four cartridges at the scene of the crime.
“We suspect that the killing was politically related,” said Fatyela.
Family spokesman, Lungile Yongani, said the shooting happened at about 8pm.
He said he and other family members were having supper and the deceased couple and their two grandchildren were in another house in the same yard, when the incident took place.
“I heard a banging noise and thought that it was the burglar door that banged ... I heard three banging sounds thereafter.
“I ran out and went to investigate when I saw a figure running away – I chased after him but it was too dark to see properly,” said Yongani.
He said when he tried to open the door, he made the gruesome discovery.
“Aunt was lying next to my uncle – both bleeding profusely.
“My aunt was not breathing, but my uncle was still struggling to breath but was talking.
“The frightened grandchildren locked themselves in the the bathroom.
“It is not clear if they ran there after the shooting or before, but we found them them crying softly and in fear,” he said. Yongani, who is a paramedic, said the family had rushed Malangeni to Dr Malizo Mpehle Hospital in Tsolo in a private vehicle but he was transferred to the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital, where he died.
“My uncle was mayor-elect, he was happy that he would lead the municipality and make a difference to the lives of the people in Mhlontlo. But they robbed us of such a fine leader who put people first,” he said.
On hearing of the murders, some family members collapsed and were also rushed to hospital.
The regional leaders visited the family on Friday afternoon.
The couple are survived by four children and two grandchildren. — lulamilef@
dispatch.co.za
Mayoral contender and wife shot dead
Mhlontlo’s Zolile Malangeni, 54, and his wife, Zolile Malangeni, were killed at their home in Mayaluleni village outside Tsolo.
At time of his death, Malangeni was a senior manager at Ntinga Development Agency, which is attached to the OR Tambo district municipality
Regional leaders including chairman Xolile Nkompela and secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi and other members were at the hospital when Malangeni was pronounced dead at about 10pm on Thursday.
Malangeni, who was also the chairman of the ANC’s Walter Mzingisi Dazana branch in Mhlontlo’s Ward 7, was hailed as a uniting figure of the branch and a “peace loving comrade”.
Nkompela described him as a “very brilliant comrade, a people’s person, and a unifying factor – an administrator of note.
“Malangeni’s name was one of those nominated by the region to be mayor or the council speaker.
“The ANC has been dealt a heavy blow and so has the Mhlontlo municipality.
“The reason why we called him again was because of the good work he had done for the municipality during his term.”
Nkompela called on ANC members and the community to be calm and have confidence in the police and justice system, which he said were best placed to deal with the matter.
Nkompela said the motive for the killing was not yet known.
“I hope and pray that was not influenced by the fights over lucrative positions,” Nkompela said.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela confirmed the shooting and said they were looking for three gunmen.
“It is alleged that three men kicked open the door and shot the husband and wife in the upper body and .
“Police found four cartridges at the scene of the crime.
“We suspect that the killing was politically related,” said Fatyela.
Family spokesman, Lungile Yongani, said the shooting happened at about 8pm.
He said he and other family members were having supper and the deceased couple and their two grandchildren were in another house in the same yard, when the incident took place.
“I heard a banging noise and thought that it was the burglar door that banged ... I heard three banging sounds thereafter.
“I ran out and went to investigate when I saw a figure running away – I chased after him but it was too dark to see properly,” said Yongani.
He said when he tried to open the door, he made the gruesome discovery.
“Aunt was lying next to my uncle – both bleeding profusely.
“My aunt was not breathing, but my uncle was still struggling to breath but was talking.
“The frightened grandchildren locked themselves in the the bathroom.
“It is not clear if they ran there after the shooting or before, but we found them them crying softly and in fear,” he said. Yongani, who is a paramedic, said the family had rushed Malangeni to Dr Malizo Mpehle Hospital in Tsolo in a private vehicle but he was transferred to the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital, where he died.
“My uncle was mayor-elect, he was happy that he would lead the municipality and make a difference to the lives of the people in Mhlontlo. But they robbed us of such a fine leader who put people first,” he said.
On hearing of the murders, some family members collapsed and were also rushed to hospital.
The regional leaders visited the family on Friday afternoon.
The couple are survived by four children and two grandchildren. — lulamilef@
dispatch.co.za
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