Political violence throughout the Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal area is out of control with three more councillors attacked over the span of three days.
With the Alfred Duma (Ladysmith) Municipality condemning the acts of violence shown towards its councillors, Ladysmith Mayor Zama Sibisi elaborated on the recent two attacks.
“The municipality has noted with concerns the numerous attacks against the local councillors. This comes after we learnt that our MPAC (Municipal Public Accounts Committee) Chairperson Cllr Mike Suddaby who was traveling together with Chief Whip, Cllr Sabelo Sithole escaped a shooting attack last week on 23 November 2022,” he said.
The two councillors who belong to two different political parties were attacked after leaving a municipal event in the Mhlumayo area. Allegedly, the attackers were parked alongside the road and opened fire as soon as the two councillors drove past. They were fortunate and escaped the attack unscathed.
The second incident took place on Saturday evening, 26 November 2022, when Alfred Duma Municipality’s Cllr Rajkoomar Anand of Ward 13, and his family were attacked while coming back from church.
According to Cllr Sibisi, the Ward 13 councillor and his family were robbed of assets from their homes, cellphones and a car, before leaving the family brutally assaulted. A case of robbery and attempted murder was opened.
“These attacks shows a serious threat towards the community representatives which could lead in harming residents and we cannot sit back, therefore, as the Alfred Duma Local Municipality, we call on the South African Law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in investigating and get to the bottom of this uncalled for attacks and must leave no stone unturned in bringing the culprits to face the full might of the law,” said the Ladysmith Mayor.
Cllr Sibisi has also urged people with information to approach the Ladysmith police.
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