Another African National Congress ward candidate for the August 3 local government elections was shot dead, in front of her husband and children, in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday night.
Police on Sunday confirmed that the case was being handled by the directorate for priority crime investigation (Hawks). Thembi Mbongo, ANC candidate for ward six outside Osizweni in the Newcastle area, was shot by two unknown assailants at her home.
ANC provincial secretary Super Zuma said on Sunday the killing was “an act of cowardice”. The ANC was “deeply concerned” at the killing of its ward candidates as the elections drew closer.
“We are very devastated and shocked at the senseless killing of cadre Thembi who was going to represent her community as their public servant. This is a tragic loss for her family, her community, and the ANC,” said Zuma.
Mbongo’s death comes barely two months after the killing of ANC youth league deputy regional chairman Wandile Ngubile, who was shot dead in the Madadeni area of Newcastle.
“We believe that there is an orchestrated campaign to derail the ANC from an overwhelming victory in the Newcastle area and Amajuba district as a whole. We are calling upon police to leave no stone unturned in apprehending the killers of cadre Thembi,” Zuma said.
The Hawks needed to “act swiftly” to conclude investigations into both cases to ensure peace and stability in the area in the run-up to the elections.
Zuma and ANC provincial spokesman Mdumiseni Ntuli were travelling to see Mbongi’s family on Sunday to arrange a funeral date.
More than 10 ANC councillors, candidate councillors, and branch members have been killed in KwaZulu-Natal this year, all believed to be political motivated.
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