Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

An IFP councillor in Nongoma, northern Zululand, has fled his home and is living in the mountains after threats on his life.

Jomo Ndwandwe, from the Bhanganoma area on the outskirts of Nongoma, says he is living the life of a "zombie" because people want "him dead".

His troubles started after he and IFP general secretary Musa Zondi claimed they were manhandled by a police officer last Friday while campaigning in the area.

He said they were stopped by police in Nongoma who searched Zondi's car at gunpoint.

"I was part of that delegation and my troubles emanate from it.

"The following day, I was part of [Mayor Zanele Magwaza-Msibi's] roadshow and after it was finished I received a call from an unknown person asking me where I was. I asked him who he was, but he refused to identify himself," he said.

When Ndwandwe returned to his home, people in 4x4 vehicles arrived and asked for him. He said the vehicles were the same as those used by the riot squad that has been deployed in Nongoma.

"I ran out and hid. These people started putting up ANC posters on my fence. When my children asked why they were doing that, they pointed firearms at them. They also tore down the IFP posters next to my home," he said.

Ndwandwe said he had been sleeping in the mountains since Saturday.

"I can't go home because I fear for my life. These people have also threatened to get rid of my family during a ceremony scheduled for the Easter weekend," he said.

Ndwandwe said he had opened a case of intimidation, pointing of a firearm and destruction of political posters.

Captain Vusi Mbatha said the charges were being investigated.