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IFP and ANC 'must meet over deaths'

Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

National Democratic Convention (Nadeco) president Hawu Mbatha has urged the leadership of both the IFP and ANC in KwaZulu-Natal to convene an urgent meeting to prevent the killings of party members in the province.

The call comes after the gunning down of IFP Jacobs Hostel branch chairman, Bhekisisa Mthethwa, ANC Abaqulusi councillor Alpheus Xulu and ANC supporter Wonderboy Phelakho.

Xulu was shot dead last Thursday. Both Mthethwa and Phelakho were killed on Saturday, but police were yet to link the two incidents. Mthethwa was ambushed while he was going to work at about 4.30am, while Phelakho was shot dead later that day during the ANC's election campaign launch.

"Nadeco feels there is a special need for discussions between the leadership of the above-mentioned political organisations to prevent more of these attacks.

"Pointing fingers at each other will result in the escalation of violence ahead of the general elections of 2009," said Mbatha.

He said the province could not afford a situation where political violence threatens the peace and stability that has been achieved.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has also expressed concern over the killings and called for tolerance among political parties.

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