Durban — The IFP has decided to wait for the police investigation into the allegations by councillor Lungisani Ntuli who said that the Msinga Local Municipality mayor Mlethi Ndlovu was behind the murder of councillor Siyanda Magubane before it considers whether or not to take any actions against the mayor.
The IFP said that was the recommendation made by the National Council Task Team (NCTT).
In a video that is circulating on social media platforms, Ntuli, who survived the attack in which Magubane was gunned down, was speaking at Magubane’s funeral in Msinga when he dropped the bomb.
To the shock of many mourners at the funeral, Ntuli turned to the side where officials were seated, including the mayor, and said: “Mhlonishwa mayor Gatsheni (Ndlovu’s clan) you were not supposed to kill us like this.”
People in the marquee erupted into screams of disbelief and a police officer grabbed Ntuli and escorted him out of the tent, where the funeral was held.
The mayor denied the allegations and said he would follow IFP advice on the matter and said he was seeking legal advice.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said that having been made aware of the video of Ntuli that went viral after it was taken during Magubane’s funeral, the IFP dispatched a NCTT to investigate Ntuli’s utterances and the allegations levelled against Ndlovu.
Hlengwa said that during the IFP’s meeting on Monday, October 3, the IFP national executive committee (NEC) received the NCTT report.
“In the main, the NCTT focused on the allegations levelled against Ndlovu and in its conclusion, the NCTT has found no evidence of Ndlovu being present at the scene of the fatal ambush, as he was at a municipal function at the time,” Hlengwa said.
“Furthermore, to date, Ntuli has not presented any information to the SAPS; and the party encourages him to engage the SAPS.
“Notwithstanding the seriousness of the matter at hand, the NCTT has recommended “the party should wait for the police investigation (to run its course) before it considers whether or not to take any actions against the mayor’,” Hlengwa said.
He said that the NEC supported the recommendation.
“The IFP further reiterates the call for the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies to investigate the murder of Magubane with urgency and to ensure a successful prosecution of those involved in this heinous crime,” Hlengwa said.
Last month the Daily News reported that Hlengwa said there were several other matters and recommendations raised by the NCTT, which were receiving the attention of the NEC.
“In this regard, the NEC’s efforts will be led by the IFP’s national chairperson, Blessed Gwala MPL,” Hlengwa said.
Daily News