Daily Sun: Councillor Bust for Thulisile’s Murder

http://www.dailysun.co.za/news/2015-03-03-councillor-bust-for-thulisiles-murder

By Thabisile Khomo Tuesday, March 3, 2015

IT’S been seven months since Thulisile Ndlovu (36), chairwoman of shack dwellers organisation Abahlali baseMjondolo, was shot dead at her house in Kwandengezi kasi, outside Pinetown.

But now the truth about her murder could come to light when the court hears evidence in the matter.

On Friday there were loud cheers and sighs of relief among concerned residents and organisation members when Mduduzi Ngcobo, a local councillor, was arrested and charged with Thulisile’s murder.

He appeared in the Pinetown Magistrates Court yesterday and the case was postponed to Wednesday 18 March for a bail application. Thulisile was killed in September.

A few hours before her death, Thulisile allegedly called organisation members to tell them she suspected she was going to be killed after seeing Ngcobo driving his Nissan Navara bakkie around her homestead.

The two allegedly had an ongoing stand-off over the issue of service delivery in the area.

Abahlali spokesman Thembani Ngongoma said Thulisile often exposed the suspect’s failure to fulfil the needs of her organisation and the community.

Sphe Madlala (18) – who was in the house with her on the day of the incident – was seriously injured when he was shot in the stomach.

Ngongoma said they were pleased that the truth was being pursued.

A close relative of Thulisile, S’mangele Ngcobo (30) said they were relieved by the arrest but shocked that the suspect was a councillor.

A month after Thulisile was killed, another resident, Mobeni Khwela (47) was shot dead at his home in the same area. Daily Sun has previously reported that residents on numerous occasions demanded that the eThekwini Municipality replace the councillor, complaining about his attitude towards people and alleging that he was associated him criminals in the area.When Daily Sun called Ethekwini municipality spokesman, Thabo Mofokeng, he said he was going to enquire from the speaker’s office and get back to the reporter, but he did not.

His cellphone rang unanswered.

Attempts of reaching the Speaker, Logie Naidoo, failed as his personal assistant said he was in a day-long meeting.

Major Thulani Zwane confirmed that a 51-year-old male councillor was arrested for murder.