Political parties in KwaZulu-Natal’s uMgungundlovu district need to help restore the tainted image of the province and end the history of political violence, provincial transport minister Willies Mchunu said in Camperdown on Monday.
“… This area has a long history of political violence. I am appealing to all political parties present to work in changing the image of Camperdown,” Mchunu was quoted saying in a statement issued by his office after meeting with political parties in the area.
The meeting was attended by provincial police and business leaders, amakhosi and provincial Independent Electoral Commission head Mawethu Mosery.
Mchunu urged all political parties to stop intimidating voters and respect their right to choose political parties of their choice, his office said.
The meeting, held at the Camperdown hotel, was triggered by the killing of a National Freedom Party (NFP) candidate in Kwanyavu near Pietermaritzburg. Two men wearing balaclavas shot dead Msunduzi councillor Elias Dube (53) at his home on April 13. Three spent cartridges were found at the scene.
The NFP was formed by disgruntled Inkatha Freedom Party members earlier this year.
All political parties at the meeting, including independent candidates, made a commitment to ensuring a free and fair election in the Camperdown area.
According to the statement Mosery said Dube’s name would still appear on the voting ballot on May 18, and that a by-election would be held if he won.
“No amount of violence or intimidation can change the mindset of the voters,” Mosery was quoted saying. — Sapa