An Eastern Cape council has been placed on high alert after elite crime fighting unit the Hawks revealed death threats against prominent politicians.
In a letter to the executive mayor of OR Tambo district municipality, a Hawks commander recommends the reinforcement of security for Mhlontlo speaker and ANC OR Tambo regional chairman Xolile Nkompela after “relentless attempts to assassinate the speaker”.
It further suggests that the protection extend to mayors of district municipalities.
Nkompela survived an alleged attempt on his life last December. His 39-year-old bodyguard, Zukile Nyontso, died in a hail of bullets when balaclava-clad suspects opened fire on Nkompela’s car.
The regional chairman attended a meeting at Qumbu town hall last month where shots were once again fired, fortunately with no casualties.
In a letter to the OR Tambo district municipality, Mhlontlo municipal manager Sibongile Sotshongaye states the local municipality needs to be more vigilant in protecting its leadership.
“Considering the resources that need to be injected to protection and those that have already been utilised, the municipality is compelled to request OR Tambo district municipality to intervene by giving its legislative support.”
The OR Tambo council met last Friday and resolved to provide security personnel for Nkompela.
Mhlontlo is currently paying for three bodyguards for Nkompela, while the ANC provides an additional three security personnel. The latest council resolution means the municipal speaker will have more than six bodyguards.
Colonel Loyiso Mdingi, commander of the SAPS organised crime unit in Mthatha, in a letter to council said a “number of cases” had been opened by Nkompela regarding failed attempts by “unknown people to assassinate him”.
“We also have information or reports from the Crime Intelligence Unit that there are relentless attempts to assassinate .”
The letter by Mdingi further warns that the threat could possibly extend to other political leaders.
“We also further advise that (OR Tambo) intensifies protection of the executive leaders of the municipality as there are clear indications that there are still many of these cases to be expected in the district as per the ongoing investigations.
“We advise your office to add more security personnel for the protection of Mr Nkompela and to the mayors of the district municipalities as this will assist this office and prevent further threats and enable us to focus on the existing cases,” stated Mdingi.
Sotshongaye confirmed writing the letter to the district municipality.
“We are a small municipality. We feel that we would not be able to continue providing security for the speaker. We have also asked the cooperative governance and traditional affairs provincial office for assistance.”
He said increased security was also needed for the mayor and chief whip.
Nkompela declined to comment yesterday but confirmed Sotshongaye’s letter to the district municipality.
OR Tambo spokesman Ayongezwa Lungisa said: “The council that sat on Friday, January 29 received a report on the threats to the life of . Upon the report, the council delegated the municipal manager to take action.”
However, opposition parties have lambasted the decision to increase security detail as wasteful expenditure.
DA councillor Mbongeni Kotana claimed 25 security guards have already been hired to safeguard Nkompela and his family.
“They are employing security for the regional chairman of the ANC. It is for the benefit of the ANC and his family. He wants to look like the ministers.
“It is a wasteful expenditure. The mayor needs to tell us how much has been budgeted for Nkompela’s bodyguards.”
UDM councillor Mncedisi Bunzana said the ANC used its majority to push for the resolution.
“We requested clarity on why a person who is in another municipality would request another municipality to pay for his bodyguards. We rejected that request as the UDM. It has negative financial implications on the municipality.
“OR Tambo finances cannot be used to protect an individual who is not even part of the municipality.” — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
Politics turns deadly
In a letter to the executive mayor of OR Tambo district municipality, a Hawks commander recommends the reinforcement of security for Mhlontlo speaker and ANC OR Tambo regional chairman Xolile Nkompela after “relentless attempts to assassinate the speaker”.
It further suggests that the protection extend to mayors of district municipalities.
Nkompela survived an alleged attempt on his life last December. His 39-year-old bodyguard, Zukile Nyontso, died in a hail of bullets when balaclava-clad suspects opened fire on Nkompela’s car.
The regional chairman attended a meeting at Qumbu town hall last month where shots were once again fired, fortunately with no casualties.
In a letter to the OR Tambo district municipality, Mhlontlo municipal manager Sibongile Sotshongaye states the local municipality needs to be more vigilant in protecting its leadership.
“Considering the resources that need to be injected to protection and those that have already been utilised, the municipality is compelled to request OR Tambo district municipality to intervene by giving its legislative support.”
The OR Tambo council met last Friday and resolved to provide security personnel for Nkompela.
Mhlontlo is currently paying for three bodyguards for Nkompela, while the ANC provides an additional three security personnel. The latest council resolution means the municipal speaker will have more than six bodyguards.
Colonel Loyiso Mdingi, commander of the SAPS organised crime unit in Mthatha, in a letter to council said a “number of cases” had been opened by Nkompela regarding failed attempts by “unknown people to assassinate him”.
“We also have information or reports from the Crime Intelligence Unit that there are relentless attempts to assassinate .”
The letter by Mdingi further warns that the threat could possibly extend to other political leaders.
“We also further advise that (OR Tambo) intensifies protection of the executive leaders of the municipality as there are clear indications that there are still many of these cases to be expected in the district as per the ongoing investigations.
“We advise your office to add more security personnel for the protection of Mr Nkompela and to the mayors of the district municipalities as this will assist this office and prevent further threats and enable us to focus on the existing cases,” stated Mdingi.
Sotshongaye confirmed writing the letter to the district municipality.
“We are a small municipality. We feel that we would not be able to continue providing security for the speaker. We have also asked the cooperative governance and traditional affairs provincial office for assistance.”
He said increased security was also needed for the mayor and chief whip.
Nkompela declined to comment yesterday but confirmed Sotshongaye’s letter to the district municipality.
OR Tambo spokesman Ayongezwa Lungisa said: “The council that sat on Friday, January 29 received a report on the threats to the life of . Upon the report, the council delegated the municipal manager to take action.”
However, opposition parties have lambasted the decision to increase security detail as wasteful expenditure.
DA councillor Mbongeni Kotana claimed 25 security guards have already been hired to safeguard Nkompela and his family.
“They are employing security for the regional chairman of the ANC. It is for the benefit of the ANC and his family. He wants to look like the ministers.
“It is a wasteful expenditure. The mayor needs to tell us how much has been budgeted for Nkompela’s bodyguards.”
UDM councillor Mncedisi Bunzana said the ANC used its majority to push for the resolution.
“We requested clarity on why a person who is in another municipality would request another municipality to pay for his bodyguards. We rejected that request as the UDM. It has negative financial implications on the municipality.
“OR Tambo finances cannot be used to protect an individual who is not even part of the municipality.” — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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