UPDATE: IFP official killed in ambush

16 September 2018 - 16:38
By Staff Reporter
 Inkatha Freedom Party wants a full inquiry into the killing of Zakhele Mazibuko.
Image: Thulani Mbele Inkatha Freedom Party wants a full inquiry into the killing of Zakhele Mazibuko.

The Inkatha Freedom Party wants a full inquiry into the killing of Zakhele Mazibuko‚ who was killed in an ambush on Saturday night. He was 44 years old.

The IFP said on Sunday afternoon that Mazibuko‚ its publicity secretary in the uThukela district‚ "was fatally gunned down in an ambush" between Estcourt and Colenso‚ shortly after leaving an IFP district meeting.

He worked as the Occupational and Health Manager at the uThukela district municipality.

Mazibuko‚ also known as Zakes‚ "was a committed and dedicated leader of the IFP who served the community with integrity"‚ said the statement issued by the party's national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa and district chair Mbuzeleni Mkhize.

"The IFP and the community of uThukela have been robbed by agents of darkness and enemies of peace of a hard-working servant of the people. We are indeed poorer because of this untimely loss.

South Africa
IFP official killed in ambush
5 years ago

"We call for peace and calm during this time and allow for the investigation to run its full course."

Without speculating about the motive for the murder‚ the party said it is "of serious and grave concern that the killing of politicians has become a permanent feature of the political landscape of KwaZulu-Natal".

"The slow pace of police interventions in curbing political violence is overwhelmingly worrisome. . .

"This prevailing culture of violence does not bode well for free and fair elections next year‚ that are also free from fear."

The Moerane Commission of Inquiry into political violence in the province finished its work earlier this year. The report is expected to be released by the end of the month.