Durban - KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sihle Zikalala says disagreements and disputes should not lead to the killing of councillors who are public representatives serving the people.
Speaking on Tuesday, the MEC expressed concern at the recent spate of killings of councillors in the province.
“We need to inculcate the culture of talking when there are disagreements and avoid the use of violence as a solution,” Zikalala said in a radio interview.
KwaZulu-Natal has seen a rise in the killing of councillors since the November 2021 local government elections, prompting by-elections to be held in order to avoid a leadership vacuum.
Zikalala also appealed to political parties to provide any information they have that could assist to solve the murders to the police.
“We appeal to communities to assist and co-operate with us on the matter of the killings. Councillors, after all, are public representatives ” he stressed.
Last Sunday IFP councillor in Msinga Municipality, Lungisani Ntuli, told a crowd of mourners that the local mayor, Mlethi Ndlovu, was responsible for the killing of party councillor Siyanda Magubane.
The mayor has denied any involvement in the councillor’s killing, adding that he welcomes any investigation into the matter.
The IFP leadership has since assembled a task team to investigate the councillor’s claim.
Attempts to get comment from councillor Ntuli on Tuesday were unsuccessful as his phone went to voicemail.