Inkatha Freedom Party national council and provincial legislature member Mandla Thomas Tshabalala was shot dead on Thursday night.
IFP spokesperson, the Reverend Musa Zondi, who was at the scene, said Tshabalala was shot outside his home by unidentified men in full view of his children in Lindelani near Durban.
”His death is a shock to the IFP and everyone, but especially to his family. We are deeply saddened,” he said.
Zondi said Tshabalala was not only a member of Parliament but also a prominent businessman and community builder.
Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo said the incident was not politically motivated as there was no threat to Tshabala’s life prior to the incident.
”Also, the fact that he was alone in the car is indicative that he did not think his life was in any kind of danger,” he said.
Tshabalala was killed at the gate of his home around 8.30pm by a group of men, who opened fire as soon as he arrived. He was shot in the head and upper body.
Naidoo said there was a strong contingent of police on the scene. Acting police provincial commissioner, Bongani Ntanjana, also visited the scene.
Police have appealed to anyone with information on the murder to contact them on 086-00-10111.
The African National Congress said they were shocked by the killing.
ANC spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, said on Friday the killing was a blow to the province.
”Mr Tshabalala has now been working tirelessly for reconciliation and having cordial relations with the ANC. He really turned a new leaf after the political violence that engulfed KwaZulu-Natal from the 80s,” Mthimkhulu said. – Sapa