The African National Congress in the Free State says it has been vindicated after police confirmed that the murder of former provincial head of policy Noby Ngombane was not politically motivated.
The statement followed the appearance in court on Thursday of the brother and sister of Nokwanda Ngombane — Noby Ngombane’s wife — in connection with the murder.
Ngombane was gunned down at his Hillsboro home on March 22. At her husband’s funeral, Nokwanda Ngombane claimed that the murder was politically motivated and that the murderers were present at the funeral.
Ngombane was a controversial figure in the provincial government who was credited with being the power behind most of the unpopular decisions taken by Premier Beatrice Marshoff. Many politicians and top civil servants disliked him for his role in the removal and redeployment of provincial ministers and heads of departments.
Rumours that his murder might have been politically motivated were fuelled when police questioned an official working at the ANC offices in the province.
Free State police spokesperson Annelie Wrensch said that three more arrests would follow those of the first two suspects.
The suspects, brother Bongani Mlambo (28), and sister Sephumle Booi (23) were arrested late on Wednesday and appeared in the Bloemfontein District Court.
ANC provincial spokesperson Qondile Khedama said that the ANC had consistently argued that the murder was not politically motivated.