By Celani Sikhakhane and Mlungisi Gumede
IFP councillor Killer Mkhwanazi, who was assassinated on Monday, had already been expelled from the party prior to his death.
He faced accusations of unruly behaviour and led a mass protest against his brother, former Inkosi Mtubatuba mayor Qhina Mkhwanazi.
Additionally, he was alleged to have voted with the ANC in the uMkhanyakude District, which further strained his relationship with the IFP.
Although he challenged his expulsion in court, the matter had not yet been resolved, allowing him to continue serving as a ward councillor in the Umkhanyakude district.
Yesterday, Umkhanyakude councillors, led by Mayor Siphile Mdaka, paid their respects to Mkhwanazi’s family.
The South African Local Government Association (Salga) reported that within a span of 10 months, 39 councillors in KwaZulu-Natal had passed away. Seventeen councillors had been assassinated, 17 had passed on from natural causes, there had been two suicides, and three deaths resulting from car accidents.
Mkhwanazi was killed on Monday while travelling from Mtubatuba to St Lucia with his three bodyguards, who were injured and subsequently hospitalised.
Known as the most notorious IFP councillor in Umkhanyakude, Mkhwanazi previously attempted to physically confront then-KZN premier Sihle Zikalala during a council meeting, accusing him of engaging in ANC politics.
However, he had recently developed a cordial relationship with ANC councillors, as evidenced by photographs taken together during meetings. Efforts to contact the family have been unsuccessful.
Attempts to reach IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa for comment were unsuccessful.
Pictured above: IFP councillor Killer Mkhwanazi and the scene of his assassination
Image source: Supplied
