Not until recently politically motivated killings have occupied a relatively marginal position as an issue of public concern in Eastern Cape.
This was the case until Thembekile Somngwangwa was killed outside a community hall in Inquza Hills in the OR Tambo District, recently.
Somngwangwa was an ANC candidate for the local government elections in Ward 30 of Inquza Hills Municipality in the Eastern Cape. He was been stabbed to death shortly after a party meeting was postponed according to ANC provincial spokesperson Gift Nqondi.
This is the first political killing in the province connected to the local government elections later this year.
“We are deeply worried that political differences are now being resolved through brutal killings, and no longer through established Congress movement traditions of political persuasions and robust engagements,” Nqondi said.
’’Although one person was arrested, we call on the law enforcement agencies to ensure all those who are responsible for this callous crime are brought to book and sentenced to long-time imprisonment.”
’’Our movement cannot harbour thugs and criminals… They must be exposed and not be part of our organisation,” Eastern Cape secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi said.to
“This is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. We would like to express shock and disgust at the latest killing, he added.
