Security remained tight at Lindelani, north of Durban, on Friday following the killing of the area’s Inkatha Freedom Party leader, Thomas Shabalala.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo said the Durban serious and violent crimes unit is investigating the killing.
Shabalala was shot twice in the head and chest at his driveway gate just after 8pm.
Naidoo said at this stage police do not suspect the killing to have been politically motivated.
IFP safety and security spokesperson Velaphi Ndlovu said on Friday that Shabalala’s colleagues are all ”shocked”.
He said Shabalala will be remembered as a leader who promoted peace. He was also the first political leader to take ”a brave stance” by admitting two of his children had died of HIV/Aids a few years ago.
”Thomas Shabalala was a colourful character of strong beliefs and passion. His absence will be keenly felt in the IFP,” Ndlovu said.
IFP Youth Brigade chairperson Thulasizwe Buthelezi said he is concerned ”at the continued lawlessness reigning in South Africa”.
”When fathers are murdered in front of their children, it is a clear indication that something is very wrong in society. In fact, it is like a loud, red neon light, flashing that people are not safe.
”This reality needs to be dealt with. And it needs to be dealt with now,” he said in a statement.
The brigade called on President Thabo Mbeki to put steps in place immediately that ”will devolve real power to provincial ministries of safety and security … the kind of power that allows provincial governments to create local and effective strategies aimed at decreasing crime in each province.”
The African National Congress spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, said on Friday the killing is a blow to the province.
”Mr Shabalala 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 1980s,” Mthimkhulu said.
He urged the community to help the police track down the killers.
”Our province can no longer afford any negative publicity. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the Shabalala family and the IFP.”
The Democratic Alliance in the province said Shabalala’s killing will ”invariably bear many serious political implications”.
The party said Shabalala’s death is a great loss to the province and South Africa.
Shabalala, who was a member of the IFP national council and a member of the provincial legislature, leaves behind a number of wives and several children.
Ndlovu said no funeral arrangements have been made yet.
Police have appealed to anyone with information on the murder to call Tel: 08600 10111. — Sapa