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The Office of the ANC Chief Whip has learned with shock and outrage of the shooting and robbery of one of its Members of Parliament and chairperson of portfolio committee on environmental affairs, Cde Jackson Mthembu. He is currently receiving medical attention at the Emalahleni private hospital's intensive care unit in Witbank.

Cde Mthembu was accosted by a group of men and shot at close range on the chest last night while withdrawing money from the ATM. Luckily, he was able to drive himself to the close-by hospital, where is under medical supervision. Police are investigating the case of robbery and attempted murder, but no arrest has been made yet.

We are disturbed and infuriated by this mindless and callous act of criminality and implore the police to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those savage thugs face the full might of the law. We once again call upon all communities to partner with the police to root out criminal elements from our society as part of a collective endeavour to create a crime-free society.

We wish Cde Mthembu a full and speedy recovery, and our thoughts are with him and his family during this time.

Issued by ANC