With an estimated 14 politically motivated killings in KwaZulu-Natal‚ just since April‚ Premier Willies Mchunu has announced that "processes are under way" to appoint a Commission of Inquiry.
The commission will probe all political-related murders in the province of KwaZulu-Natal‚ his office said in a statement on Thursday.
This follows a call made by the African National Congress for the premier to appoint this commission following ongoing killings of councillor candidates from various political parties.
“I have been consulting widely to seek guidance as we do not want to duplicate the work of police. Importantly‚ we want to adhere to the legal framework as this is a serious matter that will have legal implications. I am satisfied with the progress we are making regarding this matter‚” Mchunu said.
The premier met yesterday with Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and reached agreement on the need for a Commission of Inquiry.
"In addition‚ the minister has appointed a special task team to investigate all political related murders‚" Mchunu said.
"...We are busy drawing up terms of reference for this Commission. We will also start the processes of identifying and appointing commissioners."
A formal announcement with the details and names of the commissioners will be made public as soon as these processes are completed‚ he added.
“We want to assure the people of KwaZulu-Natal that as government we will double our efforts to create a peaceful and thriving province. We are promoting a climate of co-existence of political parties. We call on leaders of all political parties to acknowledge their roles in the maintenance of peace and stability ahead of local government elections and beyond.”
The latest killing attributed to pre-election violence‚ ahead of the 2016 local government polls in August‚ was earlier today when a member of the opposition National Freedom Party (NFP) was stabbed to death while putting up posters in Newcastle.
Anna Madonsela got into an argument with a man wearing an ANC T-shirt and he allegedly stabbed her‚ according to the NFP’s district secretary for Amajuba‚ Lindiwe Msibi.
An estimated 13 ANC leaders and members have also been killed since April.
- TMG Digital.
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