KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Nomusa Dube-Ncube has called upon law enforcement agencies in the province to increase security measures aimed at protecting councillors whose lives are in danger.
This follows last night’s incident where the house of ward 12 councillor Nancy Jili in the uBuhlebezwe Local Municipality was burned to the ground. This is in addition to the senseless murder of eThekwini councillor Sibusiso Maphumulo which happened last week.
Dube-Ncube has called for strong measures to be taken against the perpetrators of these cowardly acts that also put at risk the lives of councillors’ families. Councillor Jili’s family thankfully managed to escape without personal injuries.
The incident which took place last night was not the first as previously unknown assailants shot at the family’s home and fled. “These incidents are cause for great concern across the sphere of local government in the province as lives of public representatives continue to be under threat from unrully elements that want to take our province to the past,” said Dube-Ncube.
“The trauma which has been experienced by the Jili and Maphumulo families is something that should never happen again within our province. The senseless intimidation of public representatives by criminal elements will not be tolerated,” continued Dube-Ncube.
Dube-Ncube has urged communities to come forward with information that will assist in the apprehension of those who are responsible for these heinous acts. KZN Cogta has also dispatched a team of officials to uBuhlebezwe to assess the damages and explore ways to assist councillor Jili and her family.
For more information contact: KZN Cogta spokespersons Lennox Mabaso, 082 884 2403; or Senzelwe Mzila, 082 302 3472
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kzncogta
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kzncogta
Website: www.kzncogta.gov.za
Ends.