Media Statement: MEC Hlomuka condemns assassination of Amajuba Speaker

Newcastle: This morning we learned with shock and sadness of the assassination of the Speaker of Amajuba District Municipality Cllr Reginald Ndima, who was gunned down at his residence in Newcastle in the early hours of this morning. 

Yesterday, we were in Newcastle where we convened a special engagement with all the Mayors, Speakers and EXCO members from municipalities under the Amajuba, uThukela and uMzinyathi. This engagement was attended by Cllr Ndima and we were looking forward to him making more contributions in the management of Council matters. 

This senseless murder has robbed the people of Amajuba of a dedicated servant who was passionate about improving the lives of residents.

This assassination comes while the province is mourning the murder of eThekwini ward 103 Councillor Minenhle Mkhize who was killed on Saturday, 22 January at his home in Cato Ridge west of Durban.

We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of Cllr Ndima and appeal for calm amongst our communities. We urge law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in the quest to apprehend those that are responsible and bring an end to these attacks on public representatives in our province.

We cannot allow those that are hell-bent on plunging the sphere of local government in our province into chaos to succeed. 

We appeal to our communities to come forward with information that will assist law enforcement agencies.

Issued by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sipho Hlomuka 

Ends.