Cape Argus E-dition

Killings could turn SA into Mafia state

POLITICAL murders have been an issue of contention in various provinces across the country, particularly in KZN where the murder of political rivals, public figures and elected officials are the order of the day.

In KZN, it is not uncommon to see councillors with security detail that rivals that of ministers and celebrity superstars.

A councillor’s salary level is lower to middle management level range, yet the one thing that they are said to have access to is budgets, resources and the power to unlock infrastructure projects.

These often lead to the culture of murder and extortion which rivals that of Mexican drug and kidnapping cartels.

The latest developments of how an IFP mayor was named as a suspect by a victim during a funeral service should not be taken lightly.

Already the province and other regions in South Africa are suffering the terrorising tactics of amadelangokubona and other pseudo-construction industry forums that claim to represent the interests of the community in infrastructure development projects, but are using extortion and other nefarious tactics to line up their own pockets.

Enough is enough, just last week in the early hours of Monday, ANC eThekwini Municipality councillor Mnqobi Molefe was gunned down.

Also the week prior, IFP councillor, Siyanda Magubane of ward 11 was killed in uMsinga and another survived the attack while they were driving on the R33. Also last week, a senior official in uMlalazi, Reggie Ngema and a municipal manager’s close protector were killed in two separate incidents.

The killing of public representatives cannot continue unabated. Something has to give and the police, under Minister Bheki Cele, have been found wanting. Ironically, the lack of political will to solve politically motivated killings is truly perplexing.

The government needs to urgently intervene before things get out of hand.

The Mexican and Colombian cartels which specialise in kidnapping, murder, drugs and extortion are a prime example of what can happen if this lawlessness continues unchecked. South Africa cannot be allowed to descend into a Mafia state.

WORLD

en-za

2022-09-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

http://capeargus.pressreader.com/article/281706913560548

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