The IFP claims four men from the elite SAPS’ National Intervention Unit (NIU) targeted its KwaZulu-Natal premier candidate, Thami Ntuli, in an incident on Sunday afternoon.
IFP secretary general Siphosethu Ngcobo said Ntuli’s motorcade was intercepted by armed men in an unmarked Ford Ranger, wearing balaclavas and NIU uniforms.
Ntuli was returning from a traditional Ingezo event at eSikhaleni near Empangeni in northern KZN.
“Ntuli encountered a highly alarming situation,” said Ngcobo. “A suspicious, unmarked Ford Ranger occupied by four unidentified males inserted itself into the convoy’s path on the N2 towards Empangeni and Richards Bay.
“Despite Ntuli’s security detail’s efforts to evade the vehicle, it persisted in its pursuit, eventually blocking Ntuli’s convoy at the John Ross intersection.”
Ngcobo said the four armed men jumped out of their vehicle and charged towards Ntuli’s bodyguards before telling them to lie on the road with their hands behind them.
The police accused them of reckless driving and disrupting them on the freeway, he said.
“Ntuli’s security personnel apologised and were then released. But we reported this incident to the police because it is quite worrisome to us that this is not the first time this type of incident happened to Ntuli,” said Ngcobo.
Ngcobo said the men were wearing NIU uniforms but didn’t produce any identification.
“We demand a full investigation into the matter because this distressing incident raises serious questions over the conduct of law enforcement officers,” he said.
Police had not responded to a request for comment by the time of publication.
On 14 April, police blocked Ntuli’s motorcade on the N2 in Durban near Gateway after he left the Igagasi FM radio station studios and impounded two of his vehicles.
Police claim that the vehicles were illegally fitted with blue lights, which led officers to impound the cars.
Pictured above: Four armed men, allegedly from the elite SAPS National Intervention Unit, stopped IFP premier candidate Thami Ntuli’s motorcade on the N2 near Richards Bay.
Image source: X
