IFP councillor candidate Khethelo Mdluli was shot at his home in Gingindlovu, KwaZulu-Natal, in front of his children before dying in hospital days later.
Image: IFP/ Facebook
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has called for the murder of its councillor candidate in KwaZulu-Natal to be thoroughly investigated, including whether the killing was politically motivated ahead of the Local Government Elections.
Councillor Khethelo Mdluli, 40, the IFP’s Ward 17 councillor candidate in the uMlalazi Local Municipality, was shot in front of his children at his home in oPhindweni, Gingindlovu, last Thursday evening.
He died at Ngwelezane Hospital on Monday after succumbing to his injuries.
Mdluli had served as an IFP PR councillor since 2021 and was standing as a candidate in the upcoming elections.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa condemned the killing and called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to treat the investigation as a matter of urgency.
“The IFP unequivocally condemns this barbaric and senseless killing in the strongest possible terms.
''There can be no justification whatsoever for the taking of a human life, and there can be no place in our democracy for political violence, intimidation or the assassination of those who have chosen to serve their communities,” Hlengwa said.
The killing comes days after IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa called for political tolerance in KwaZulu-Natal following the assault of IFP volunteers who were putting up election posters in KwaNyuswa, south of the province.
Police are investigating the assault.
Hlabisa said the attackers had told the volunteers that they did not want the IFP to campaign in the area.
“This is completely unacceptable. We therefore call on all political parties, political activists and communities to exercise restraint, tolerance and respect.
“Elections must be a contest of ideas, policies and leadership-not a contest of intimidation and violence,” he said.
Hlengwa said Mdluli’s killing was particularly disturbing because he was a serving public representative and an election candidate.
He said political violence could not be allowed to undermine South Africans’ right to participate freely and safely in the political process.
“Political violence must never be allowed to become a weapon in our democracy.
''No councillor, political candidate, activist, community leader, public servant or ordinary citizen should have to fear for their life because they have chosen to serve their community or exercise their democratic rights,” Hlengwa said.
The IFP called for every possible motive and angle behind the killing to be investigated, including the possibility that it was politically motivated.
“The people of uMlalazi and the Mdluli family deserve answers, accountability and justice,” Hlengwa said.
The party said those responsible must be identified, arrested and brought to justice.
“The IFP will not allow the murder of a dedicated public representative to be reduced to another statistic. Those responsible must face the full might of the law,” Hlengwa said.
The IFP also urged the community to remain calm and restrained, saying anger and grief should not lead to further violence.
“The IFP calls on the community to remain calm, peaceful and restrained during this difficult period. We must not allow anger and grief to fuel further violence.
''Instead, we must stand united in demanding justice through the law and ensuring that the democratic values for which Cllr Mdluli served are upheld,” Hlengwa said.
The party said Mdluli had served his community with commitment, humility and dedication since his election in 2021.
He leaves behind his wife and three children, aged eight, four and a newborn child.
The IFP extended its condolences to the Mdluli family, his relatives, friends, colleagues and the people of uMlalazi.
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