Canaan Mdletshe
Canaan Mdletshe
IFP councillor Mfanafuthi Elliot Maphumulo was gunned down in Gingindlovu on Wednesday, less than two weeks after ANC president Jacob Zuma and IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi committed their parties to a peaceful election campaign.
The two national leaders met in Durban and vowed to abolish the violence that has been the hallmark of political activity in KwaZulu-Natal.
But unknown assailants sprayed Maphumulo, 50, of Mananda Reserve, with a hail of bullets at his home on Wednesday night and his family are certain he was a victim of political violence.
They said nothing was stolen after the attack. Maphumulo had been a councillor for almost seven years. Throngs of neighbours and relatives yesterday flocked to his house to mourn him.
Vusi Russell Maphumulo, his older brother, said he was at the family homestead when he heard the gunshots from his brother's house shortly after 8pm.
"I phoned him to check what was happening, but his phone was off. I then called my younger brother and asked him if he had heard the gunshots.
"I then decided to go and check what was happening.
"As I approached his home, I saw a car speeding off. I did not see the occupants because it was too dark," he said.
Maphumulo said neighbours had already gathered when he arrived at his brother's house.
"He was already dead. He had been shot several times."
Maphumulo said a relative had been sitting outside the house when he heard noises.
"He thought it was the dogs and went to inspect. That's when the attackers started firing.
"Apparently my brother heard the gunshots and left his room to check what was happening. That is when they shot him.
"He tried to run away, but they followed him and killed him.
"The attackers didn't take anything or harm anybody else. They wanted only him," he said.
Superintendent Jay Naicker confirmed the incident.
"At about 8.30pm one of Maphumulos' relatives was sitting outside the house when he saw two unknown men walking toward him. As they approached him, they opened fire on him. He managed to flee and was unharmed.
"The attackers immediately opened fire on Maphumulo. He tried to flee but the suspects continued to fire in his direction," said Naicker. He said Maphumulo was shot four times.
IFP leader slain
Canaan Mdletshe
Canaan Mdletshe
IFP councillor Mfanafuthi Elliot Maphumulo was gunned down in Gingindlovu on Wednesday, less than two weeks after ANC president Jacob Zuma and IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi committed their parties to a peaceful election campaign.
The two national leaders met in Durban and vowed to abolish the violence that has been the hallmark of political activity in KwaZulu-Natal.
But unknown assailants sprayed Maphumulo, 50, of Mananda Reserve, with a hail of bullets at his home on Wednesday night and his family are certain he was a victim of political violence.
They said nothing was stolen after the attack. Maphumulo had been a councillor for almost seven years. Throngs of neighbours and relatives yesterday flocked to his house to mourn him.
Vusi Russell Maphumulo, his older brother, said he was at the family homestead when he heard the gunshots from his brother's house shortly after 8pm.
"I phoned him to check what was happening, but his phone was off. I then called my younger brother and asked him if he had heard the gunshots.
"I then decided to go and check what was happening.
"As I approached his home, I saw a car speeding off. I did not see the occupants because it was too dark," he said.
Maphumulo said neighbours had already gathered when he arrived at his brother's house.
"He was already dead. He had been shot several times."
Maphumulo said a relative had been sitting outside the house when he heard noises.
"He thought it was the dogs and went to inspect. That's when the attackers started firing.
"Apparently my brother heard the gunshots and left his room to check what was happening. That is when they shot him.
"He tried to run away, but they followed him and killed him.
"The attackers didn't take anything or harm anybody else. They wanted only him," he said.
Superintendent Jay Naicker confirmed the incident.
"At about 8.30pm one of Maphumulos' relatives was sitting outside the house when he saw two unknown men walking toward him. As they approached him, they opened fire on him. He managed to flee and was unharmed.
"The attackers immediately opened fire on Maphumulo. He tried to flee but the suspects continued to fire in his direction," said Naicker. He said Maphumulo was shot four times.
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