ANC coordinator, volunteer killed in Umgababa campaign shooting

The family of slain ANC Umgababa Ward 98 coordinator, Lungani Makhathini, says it is shattered by his murder. Makhathini was on a door-to-door campaign with fellow ANC members when three unidentified gunmen opened fire, killing him and another female volunteer and injuring several others.

His brother, Sihle Makhathini, described him as a family man who was a pillar of support to both his family and the community. He says his brother played an important role in helping those around him.

“He was a family man. He would mention his wife Kate. He was a supporter at the home. (He) even supported the community in Umgababa. He did a lot in this community. He was such a humble person. If you needed help, he would help you. We are quite saddened and devastated by this, I won’t lie. We are broken. We are very broken, but may my brother’s soul rest in peace. Eish, it sad; it’s a very sad,” says Makhathini.

Meanwhile, the ANC in the eThekwini region says it will strengthen security measures for its volunteers during door-to-door campaigns. This follows the fatal shooting of an ANC Ward 98 election coordinator and a campaign volunteer in Umgababa, south of Durban, this afternoon.

Two other volunteers were wounded and are reportedly in critical condition in hospital.

Speaking at the scene, ANC eThekwini Regional Convenor Thabani Nyawose said the party would review its campaign security measures to protect its volunteers.

“You remember that a few months back we lost to councillor Khwela in Klaarwater in Ward 17. We are losing our volunteers in the middle of the campaign. Our campaign is at its peak (and) this will cause fear. This will cause fear and discouragement. It will cause fear for our volunteers. As ANC, we now have to plan our campaign. When we are planning our complaint, we have to include issues of security and follow our volunteers to be safe,” says Nyawose.

Police in KwaZulu-Natal have opened two counts of murder and three of attempted murder following the incident.

Police say the motive of the killing is unknown but political intolerance cannot be ruled out.

Provincial police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda, says, “Reports indicate that two females and one male from a political party and their two bodyguards were on a door-to-door campaign when a white Isuzu bakkie approached them from behind. The occupants of the bakkie reportedly opened fire on the five using rifles and pistols. Two people, a man and a woman, were declared dead at the scene, and one woman reportedly injured her leg when she was fleeing from the assassins. The two bodyguards fled the scene and are yet to be found.”

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