Lungani Zungu
The slaying of Induna Mfanuvele Mdletshe on Tuesday has brought the number of killed Izinduna in the troubled Zululand district to 32 since 2019.
Mdletshe, 47, from the Zululand district, was gunned down at his home in Nongoma in front of his wife by unknown assailants.
“We are thinking of many things that may have motivated his killing,” said his grieving brother Musawenkosi.
“We are not ruling out that this might have been a hit on him.”
He said the family would allow the police to do their work.
“I hope that his killers will be arrested soon. Seeing them arrested will bring closure to us as his family,” said Musawenkosi.
Mdletshe was watching TV around 6pm with his wife when he heard a knock at the door. When he opened the door, the assailant opened fire, killing him instantly.
Induna Falendoda Malinga, secretary-general of Ubumbano Lwezinduna, said KZN has become the killing field of Izinduna.
He said the jostling for Induna positions has triggered the killings.
He said Induna Mdletshe was a vocal individual who was not shy to stand against injustice.
He said it was concerning that Mdletshe’s death came just weeks after he reported a chief, who can’t be named, to the Mandlakazi Traditional Council for ill-treating Izinduna who fell under their leadership.
He urged the KZN provincial and police to address the killing of Izinduna in the province.
“They must give the same energy to the killing of Izinduna as they are doing with political killings,” he said.
Police confirmed the killing and said the investigations were underway.
No arrests have been made.
