Magubane murder: IFP finds no evidence against mayor of Msinga Municipality
Scregrab of IFP councillor Lungisani Ndlovu's video where he named Msinga Local Municipality mayor Mlethi Ndlovu as the one who attacked him and his colleague councillor Siyanda Magubane two weeks ago.
The IFP says it has not found any evidence linking Msinga Municipality mayor Mlethu Ndlovu to the murder of IFP councillor Siyanda Magubane, who was shot dead on September 8. At Magubane's funeral, a fellow IFP councillor, Lungisani Ntuli, stunned mourners when he said Ndlovu was behind Magubane's killing. The video of Ntuli's allegations went viral, resulting in the party conducting its own investigation through its National Council Task Team (NCTT).
In the video Ntuli is heard saying: “Why did you kill us like that my brother? You were not supposed to kill us like that.”
Ntuli said he was travelling with Magubane when they came under attack on September 8. He added that he saw Ndlovu with a gun in his hand after the incident.
However, speaking to “The Mercury” recently, Ndlovu dismissed the allegations and welcomed the probe announced by the party leadership. “This is all lies. I do not agree with anything said in that video. I was not involved in any criminal activity and that is why I welcome any move that will clear my name,” said the mayor.
The IFP promised that a report on the task team’s investigation would be compiled and made available to the police.
On Tuesday, IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said their investigation had found no evidence of the mayor being present at the scene of the fatal ambush and that he was at a municipal function at the time. Hlengwa said the party had received the report on Monday and that the investigation had focused on the allegations made by Ntuli against Ndlovu.
“Furthermore, to date, Mr Ntuli has not presented any information to the SAPS; and the party encourages him to engage the SAPS,” Hlengwa said. He said the task team had recommended that the party wait for a police investigation before it took further action on the matter.
“There are several other matters and recommendations raised by the NCTT, which are receiving the attention of the NEC. In this regard, the NEC’s efforts will be led by the IFP’s national chairperson, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.”
Hlengwa said the IFP again called on the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies to investigate Magubane’s murder and to ensure that those involved were prosecuted.