The late uMngeni municipality Chief Whip, Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, who died on 5 December 2023.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced a substantial reward of R1 million for any information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the brutal murder of its uMgeni Chief Whip Nhlalayenza Ndlovu.
“The DA will spare no expense and leave no stone unturned to hold those responsible for this barbaric crime as we seek justice for the Ndlovu family and seek to bring an end to politically motivated killings in KwaZulu-Natal” its provincial chairperson Dean Macpherson said.
The incident is said to have unfolded in front of his wife and children in his home in Mpophomeni, a town situated in the Umgungundlovu District Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal.
Ndlovu lost his life in the fatal shooting. This was the first political killing to hit the party in the province which has been plagued by similar murders.
The province was forced to establish a commission of inquiry, chaired by advocate Marumo Moerane SC in response to the wave of killings that swept the province ahead of the 2016 local government elections. Most of these killings were targeted at ANC councillors and officials.
Earlier in the year, DA Okhahlamba Municipality councillor Michael Buthelezi, had his Bergville home burnt down, killing his wife and three children.
This disturbing event adds to a disheartening trend in the region, as highlighted by a report earlier this year from the provincial South African Local Government Association.
The report revealed that, within the past 10 months, 39 KwaZulu-Natal councillors had lost their lives, with 17 falling victim to targeted assassinations.
In September, Police Minister Bheki Cele, serving as the chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Political Killings in KwaZulu-Natal, shared alarming statistics underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The figures painted a bleak picture, indicating that political killings in the province have been on the rise.
Since July 4, 2018, the task team has been tirelessly investigating these cases, Cele said at a media briefing.
Cele said the IMC’s comprehensive efforts have involved the examination of 321 case files, encompassing a spectrum of offences.
Cele provided an update on the Task Team’s progress, stating that their work resulted in the arrest of 348 suspects, who face charges related to 233 cases.
Cele said that 62 suspects have already been convicted, while 155 are currently undergoing court processes, while 17 arrested suspects have passed away during these legal proceedings.