According to a statement issued by the COGTA spokesperson, Pheello Oliphant, The Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Zolile Williams has received news this morning of another torching and shooting incident last night against a councilor in the Port. St. Johns Local Municipality. Cllr Xolile Moni came under attack from unknown assailants who shot at him, injuring his son, and set his house alight.
This comes after an incident of earlier attacks against the Mayor and Speaker of Council in Port St. Johns Local Municipality. The residence of Mayor, Cllr Nomvuzo Mlombile-Cingo was set alight in the evening on 04 October 2022 by unknown torchers. It was immediately followed by the incinerating down of the residence of the Speaker of Council, Cllr Cebisa Mazuza.
A month ago, on the 16th of September 2022, Cllr Fundisile Ranai of Iinquzile Hill Municipality and his son were fatally shot at their home in Lusikisiki. The attackers are still at large. The MEC is monitoring the trend with concern and condemns in the strongest possible terms the unfolding violence.
On 6th October 2022, MEC Williams wrote to the Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lt-General Mene, requesting a meeting to discuss a responsive security plan to deal with this growing movement of violence against elected public officials at the local government level in the O.R Tambo District. This request was agreed to by Lt-General Mene and the meeting is arranged for Thursday 20th October 2022. During the process of this meeting, the MEC had planned to undertake a visit to the O.R Tambo District on 14th October 2022 with a view of discussing the evolving situation with the district leadership and all local municipalities.
The MEC has decided to bring forward this visit to Tuesday, 11th October 2022, considering the recent incident. The MEC will meet the full council of the Port St Johns Local Municipality to discuss the issues that may be underlying the violence. This will be followed up by a meeting with local stakeholders and the police in the Port St. Johns locality in a bid to find a community-based peace and stability plan that can help end violence. The MEC will be accompanied by the Executive Mayor of O.R Tambo Municipality, Cllr Mesuli Ngqondwana.
The MEC wishes to see the end of the violence which could be avoided by round table talks. As he believes that violence is no substitute for constructive engagement.
Issued by the Office of the MEC: Eastern Cape COGTA
