More African National Congress councillors in Eastern Cape are being attacked, this comes after two more houses have been torched in Port St Johns.
ANC Port St Johns Local Municipality chief whip Xolile Moni had to run with his five year old child when gunmen ambushed their home and started shooting them and injuring his son before setting the house on fire on Sunday evening. The Eastern Cape Minister for Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Mr Zolile Williams, condemmes the increasing acts of violence against the elected public representatives in the province.
According to COGTA spokesperson in Eastern Cape Pheello Oliphant, this incident follows earlier attacks against the Mayor and Speaker of Council in Port St Johns Local Municipality. Mayor Nomvuzo Mlobile-Cingo’s residence was set alight in the evening of the 4th of October by unknown arsonists. Immediately the residence of the Speaker of Council, Councillor Cebisa Mazuza was also torched down. In September Councillor Fundisile Ranai of Ingquza Hill Municipality together with his son were fatally shot at their home in Lusikisiki.
MEC Zolile Williams wrote to the Provincial Commissioner of Police Luitenent General Nomthetheleli Mene to request for a meeting and discuss security measures against the growing acts of violence against the elected public officials at local government level especially in OR Tambo District. Luitenent General Mene has accepted the request and the meeting is scheduled for Thursday 20 October 2022.
On Tuesday 11 October, MEC Zolile Williams arrived at Port St Johns to particularly discuss the recent violent attacks against councillors.
“MEC Zolile Williams wishes to see the end of violence which could be avoided by round table talks. Violence is no substitute to constructive engagements,” Pheello Oliphant.
