Bheki Chiliza, the ANCs Oshabeni branch secretary, who was killed in a hail of bullets soon after a branch general meeting to prepare for a by-election.
Two more senior ANC branch leaders have been gunned down just weeks before a crucial by-election on the South Coast, the latest victims in a series of recent killings involving aspirant leaders.
Dumisani Malunga, the chairman of the ANC’s Oshabeni branch in Ward 4, and Bheki Chiliza, the branch secretary, were riddled with bullets soon after a branch general meeting to prepare for the by-election.
“We are deeply worried that politi-cal differences are now being resolved through the barrel of a gun, and no longer through established congress movement traditions of political persuasion and robust engagements,” said regional secretary Mbuso Ngubane.
ANC heavyweights were also unanimous in condemning the murders yesterday.
Provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said: “We are very concerned with the killing of our comrades. This is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.”
Tolomane Mnyayiza, the ANC’s secretary in the lower South Coast region, said that after the meeting Malunga and Chiliza had dropped off another ANC member at his home when Malunga’s car was pumped full of bullets and the two died at the scene.
Dumisani Malunga, the chairman of the ANCs Oshabeni branch in Ward 4, who was killed in a hail of bullets soon after a branch general meeting to prepare for a by-election.
Mnyayiza said the meeting had been called to prepare for the by-election and discuss challenges faced by the ANC in the area.
The latest assassinations follow the killing of ANC councillor Wandile Mkhize in Margate in June and councillor Jimmy Lembethe in Estcourt last month.
Mkhize and another ANC member, Nhlankanipho Shabane, were attacked while walking down the road in Manaba.
Mkhize died at the scene; Shabane died three weeks later.
Yesterday Premier Zweli Mkhize condemned the killing and appealed for calm.
“[The] government is appealing to the people of KwaZulu-Natal to remain united and denounce an act of violence that threatens peace and stability.”
Malunga’s older brother, Bongani, told The Mercury that his brother had been “strong” and “influential” in his branch.
He and Chiliza were shot while travelling in his Toyota Tazz.
“He was going to drop off Chiliza when they were shot… The entire car had gunshot holes and their bodies were riddled with bullets,” he said.
The Mercury understands that Ma-lunga’s name was one of five nomi-nated for the position of ward councillor following the death of the previous councillor last month.
A grief-stricken Bongani Malunga said his brother had been the only one who still lived with their mother. Malunga is survived by a young daughter.
“I was helping him plan his wedding because my other brothers and I have our own houses now,” he said.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said Chiliza, a shop steward at Marley Pipe Systems for the past six years, would be greatly missed.
Chiliza’s family said he had not told them of any conflicts or disputes he had.
“We do not feel safe because they shot him near our house,” said one relative.
Chiliza, 39, was not married and did not have any children.
Colonel Vincent Mndunge said police at Mehlomnyama were investigating a double murder case.
Thirty-three people have been killed in political violence in KZN between 2010 and 2012 – five in 2010, 14 in 2011 and 14 in 2012.
