Councillors being killed because local elections are drawing closer, says ANC KZN regional leader Zandile Gumede
Image: Thuli Dlamini
ANC eThekwini region leader Zandile Gumede has implied that the killing of ward councillors is happening because of the coming local government elections.
Gumede was speaking at the funeral of slain eThekwini ward councillor Bhekithemba Phungula at Umlazi on Saturday.
“Councillors are under siege, they are being attacked left right and centre not because they are doing wrong things but because we are closer to elections. There are people who see themselves as councillors, in those positions,” said Gumede.
Phungula was killed in a hail of bullets by unknown assailants at his Umlazi home last week.
Image: Thuli Dlamini
“I have been to many funerals of councillors — as a regional chair and mayor — of our comrades who died through the barrel of a gun.”
Gumede described the late ward 84 councillor as an exemplary leader who did not join the ANC for personal gain and who put the needs of the people first.
“He is not dead because of tenders, he worked for the community of ward 84, for the people of eThekwini.”