A senior leader of the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal, Samora Ndlovu, survived an assassination attempt on Tuesday night. The 43-year-old Ndlovu was driving alone along R56 near Richmond when another vehicle blocked his way. An unidentified man alighted from the vehicle and fired multiple shots at Ndlovu's vehicle, leaving him for dead. Ndlovu was rushed to a local health facility where he is being treated for gunshot injuries.
Ndlovu is a former mayor of Richmond and ex-secretary-general for the ANC's Moses Mabhida region, covering Pietermartzburg and areas bordering seven local municipalities. He is also a member of the ANC regional task team. The ANC described the assassination attempt as cowardly and shocking. The party has called for peace and calm among its members in the region and urged them to allow law enforcement agencies to do their work without interference.
The ANC has condemned the act of violence and called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. The party wants those responsible for the heinous act to be swiftly brought to book. The ANC also expressed relief that Ndlovu is receiving care in hospital and has called on the community to keep him and his family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
The attempt on Ndlovu's life follows a series of killings in the province, known as a hotbed for political violence. Last month, Lucky Sokhela, an IFP councillor candidate, was gunned down shortly after arriving at his home. In August, another IFP councillor candidate was ambushed by gunmen at his home, and an ANC councillor, Sibusiso Cedric Khwela, was attacked and killed while in a meeting with community members.
KwaZulu-Natal has seen a spate of political killings over the years, prompting the establishment of the Moerane Commission to probe the root cause of the assassinations. The political killings task team was also established to effect the arrests of key masterminds behind the killings. The province has a history of politically linked violence, and the recent incidents have raised concerns about a resurgence of such violence.
The ANC has urged its members and the community at large to remain vigilant and allow law enforcement agencies to do their work without interference. The party has also called for peace and calm among its rank file in the region, emphasizing that acts of criminality should not be allowed to destabilize the movement and the community.
The incident has sparked fears of a resurgence of politically linked violence in the province, and the ANC's call for calm and vigilance is seen as a move to prevent further escalation of the situation. The SAPS is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, and the ANC is hoping that those responsible will be brought to justice soon.
Key points
- The ANC has condemned the assassination attempt on Samora Ndlovu and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
- The province of KwaZulu-Natal has a history of politically linked violence, with several killings reported in recent months.
- The ANC has urged its members and the community to remain vigilant and allow law enforcement agencies to do their work without interference.
