Former ANC Youth League leader James Nkambule is behind the alleged hit list targeting politicians in Mpumalanga.

Former ANC Youth League leader James Nkambule is behind the alleged hit list targeting politicians in Mpumalanga.

Police revealed yesterday it was Nkambule who handed them an affidavit purportedly penned by an alleged Mozambican killer known as Josh.

Nkambule, who is the former ANC Youth League leader in the province, rose to prominence WHEN he falsely accused ANC treasurer Mathews Phosa, Minister of Human Settlements Tokyo Sexwale and businessman Cyril Ramaphosa of plotting to overthrow then president Thabo Mbeki.

Provincial Police Commissioner Thulane Ntobela yesterday confirmed that Nkambule had submitted an affidavit allegedly authored by Josh.

Josh is alleged to have killed, among others, Jimmy Mohlala, the speaker of Mbombela municipality, and provincial sports and culture spokesperson Sammy Mpatlanyane.

Ntobela said the police were investigating the claims that Josh was a hired assassin, adding that they had received an affidavit from Nkambule but were more interested in meeting Josh.

Media reports quoted Josh as saying he was hired by a prominent politician to kill opponents in the province.

A police source told Sowetan that they were starting to doubt the existence of Josh.

"We have been unable to get cooperation from people who claim to know Josh."

The Sunday Independent reported yesterday that Nkambule had claimed that Josh was unable to meet police since he had to attend his mother's funeral in Mozambique.

He reportedly said the police had agreed to allow Josh to bury his mother before coming to South Africa.

But another police source denied the claim. "None of our members have ever met or spoken to Josh," he said.