Death threats won't stop us, says Cosatu

COSATU KZN provincial secretary Zet Luzipho yesterday claimed he was receiving death threats from certain ANC leaders for speaking out against the brutal killing of party leaders, particularly eThekwini regional secretary Sbu Sibiya.

He was addressing hundreds of ANC members outside the Ntuzuma magistrate's court after Xolani Zulu, an ANC Umlazi branch member and chairman of Umlazi Business Forum, made a brief appearance as an accused in the killing of Sibiya.

But Luzipho would not identify the ANC leaders, who allegedly made the death threats against him.

"There are people who now threaten us, thinking we will submit to their intimidations. Threats will not stop us from speaking out," Luzipho said.

"If people don't like what we say, they must raise their concerns within the ANC and stop coercing us. We did not join the struggle to nurse other people's egos and we did not join the ANC for self-enrichment.

"The plot was hatched by people who knew that he would leave the ANC meeting and go straight home. There are people who during the day talk about respect of leadership but at night they turn into witches who plot to kill the very same leaders. These are not ANC members but criminals who have no room in the organisation."

ANC PEC member and chairman of the community safety and liaison portfolio committee Bheki Ntuli said the killing of Sibiya and ANC member Wiseman Mshibe were well planned.

"As the ANC in the province we will not rest until those responsible have been captured.

"I still believe that Zulu did not act alone and no matter what position a person holds in the ANC and in the municipality, he must be arrested," Ntuli said.

Zulu is expected to make a formal bail application next Friday.