The municipality received the news of the brutal murder of Cllr Fundisile Ranai who was a ward 15 councillor and his son on the evening of 16 September 2022 by notorious people who entered his house at Slovo township in Lusikisiki and hailed bullets at him. It has been reported that Cllr Ranai was seated outside as it was very hot in the evening. His son is reported to have been shot as he was trying to save his father from the two people who were attacking his father and died on the spot. Cllr Ranai was rushed to the hospital which is 1½km from his house but couldn’t reach the hospital as he died on the way. He joined the municipality as a worker of public safety, as a safety officer and in 2016 he was elected as a ward councillor at ward 15 and was re-elected in November 2021. He was also deployed as a representative to OR Tambo district municipality.
This follows after the incident there have been two reported incidents of ward councillors who have escaped death after attacks by faceless people. SAPS reports have been citing Lusikisiki as a Rape Capital and among the top ten crime areas nationally. The municipality is concerned about these incidents which continue to happen in the communities which now has been directed to the councillors. It is not known whether this is a political related crime or not.
The municipality wishes to call upon those who might have any information to consult with the police. It also calls upon state security to work tirelessly to capture all the perpetrators of crime and also apply some measures to eradicate all forms of crime.
The municipality will engage the OR Tambo district municipality and the family on the logistics and will appraise the community of the developments which include the home visit, memorial service and funeral. The Speaker’s Office through Cllr Vatsha on behalf of the municipality wish to pass its sincere condolences to the Ranai family and relatives for the great loss they have of their sons.
The municipality appreciates the time spent with Cllr Ranai and his contribution towards the realization of the objectives of the government of a developmental and prosperous state. He will be remembered for his visibility in town, strong voice and fight against crime in Slovo and town.
