Lungani Zungu
IFP Msinga Mayor Mlethi Ndlovu has been cleared by his party in the killing last month of his colleague, councillor Siyanda Magubane.
The IFP’s National Council Task Team (NCTT) launched a probe last month after Ndlovu was dramatically accused at Magubane’s funeral of killing the councillor.
The NCTT presented its report during an IFP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday.
“The NCTT has found no evidence of the mayor being present at the scene of the fatal ambush, as he was at a municipal function at the time,” the party said in a statement on Tuesday.
The chilling allegations were made by IFP councillor Lungisani Ntuli, who survived the ambush in Msinga.
Ndlovu left the funeral after Ntuli dropped the bombshell.
In the statement, the IFP noted that Ntuli never filed a criminal complaint against Ndlovu.
After finding no evidence against Ndlovu, the investigators recommended that the “party should wait for the police investigation [to run its course] before it considers whether or not to take any actions against the mayor”.
The party’s NEC supports this recommendation.
Ntuli’s allegations were captured in several videos that went viral.
Scrolla.Africa has learnt from party insiders that Ntuli risks having his party membership terminated if Ndlovu is also absolved by law enforcement authorities.
However, Ndlovu will suffer the same fate if he is dragged to court over Magubane’s killing.
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said no arrest has been made.
Magubane’s killing is being investigated by the national police task team.
Both Ntuli and Ndlovu could not be reached for comment.
