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The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube has expressed deep shock and condemnation to the brutal murder of councilor Vusi Ntombela who was Speaker at Nquthu local municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Ntombela, a teacher at Luvisi Primary School was allegedly shot at point blank range while teaching in full view of leaners by unknown assailants.

The swift reaction by the police has led to the arrest of three (3) suspects.

“The death of a councillor who is an elected servant of the people leaves a gaping void in the sphere of local government and has robbed us of one more foot soldier in our fight against poverty, inequality and unemployment,” said KZN MEC for COGTA Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

“On behalf of all stakeholders in the provincial government and the entire local governance fraternity we extend heartfelt condolences to the grieving family, the wider community of Nquthu as well as the ANC which is a political organisation - from which the murdered councillor hailed”. Said Dube-Ncube.

"It is incidents such as this heinous crime that remind us that crime and  violence remains a grave challenge in our communities and  that as society we need galvanise each other’s strength to isolate the criminal elements that threaten social cohesion and harmony in our communities," said Dube-Ncube.

"We do not know the cause and the motive. We are, however, worried that the killing of councillors is becoming a disturbing trend, noting that it is not happening for the first time," said Dube-Ncube.

"If this cowardly use of violence was carried out with the intention to subvert the will of the people it will not succeed."

KZN COGTA is urging the law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this violent incident are brought to justice and that calm is restored in the community of Nquthu whose daily activities have been marred by this tragedy.

Issued by KZN COGTA