‘Bring councillor’s killers to book’
The ANC and Salga have condemned the killing of Freedom Park ward councillor Mbuyiselo Dokolwane.
|||Johannesburg - The ANC in Gauteng and the SA Local Government Association (Salga) have condemned the killing of Freedom Park ward councillor Mbuyiselo Dokolwane, calling for the swift arrest of his killers.
Dokolwane’s teenage daughter watched in horror as her father was shot dead at their family home on Monday.
On Tuesday, she broke down in tears as she recalled how her father lay in a pool of blood after being murdered by an unknown man.
Gauteng ANC provincial secretary Hope Papo said the party did not want to speculate on the motive behind Dokolwane’s death. “We instead urge anyone with the information that could assist law enforcement officers with their investigation to come forward,” he said.
Salga said Dokolwane was believed to have been killed after returning from a branch meeting. “We pledge our solidarity and convey our heartfelt condolences to the Dokolwane family and loved ones.
“We lower our banner in honour of his passing in the service of the people,” said Salga spokesman Tahir Sema.
“Salga calls on the law enforcement agencies to move swiftly to get to the bottom of the matter and condemns all forms of violence against councillors.”
On Tuesday, Dokolwane’s 13-year-old daughter told The Star that her father, an ANC ward councillor, arrived home from a meeting in Braamfontein at about 8pm on Monday. “I went outside to close the gate for him when I saw a man with a gun wearing a balaclava and blue overalls parked outside.”
She ran to the neighbour’s house for help but it was too late. Moments later, she heard her father scream, followed by multiple gunshots.
“When I came out of the neighbour’s house I saw my father lying on the ground,” she said.
Dokolwane’s other relatives, including his wife and older daughter, were also in the house at the time.
His sister Lindiya confirmed he had arrived home from a meeting when he was gunned down.
While the motive for the killing is not known, she believes his murder was linked to the elections or recent taxi violence.
At least two people have been shot and killed since January in the vicinity of Eldorado Park, while several more have been injured in the alleged battles over taxi routes.
Family friend Onica Mputle said a woman had overheard, while driving in a taxi last week, that there had been a hit out for Dokolwane and had reported it to him last week.
Other relatives also said he had received threatening SMSes recently, but couldn’t locate the senders as the numbers were unavailable when he tried to call back.
When the news of Dokolwane’s death broke, community members were up in arms and took to the streets in protest.
They barricaded the roads with large rocks and burning tyres.
On Monday morning, these remnants where still strewn across the streets, blocking cars. A large contingent of police and Joburg metro police arrived at the house with a Nyala.
They were met by enraged community members who congregated outside the premises and demanded an end to the violence in the area.
Police spokesman Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said the motive was unclear.
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The Star