24 March 2006
Issued by: ANC-KZN
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal welcomes the arrest of the newly elected Speaker for the Estcourt Municipality on murder charge. The suspect from C Section of Wembezi, the most volatile area in Estcourt, was arrested this morning by the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit of the SAPS. It is alleged that he is being implicated in one of the unsolved political murders in Estcourt. The C section area of Wembezi is characterized by endemic political intimidation and harassment of political opponents especially the ANC. Just before elections the area had to be visited the Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula.
It must also be remembered that a week before the recent local government elections (March 1, 2006) an IFP Mayor of Estcourt, Mr Lymon Shelembe was also arrested on murder and arson charges. He is due to re-appear in Court next week. (28th of March 2006). His two bodyguards are out on bail allegedly for the murder of Estcourt Municipality former Speaker, Stanley Chetty who was gunned down after crossing the floor from the IFP to the ANC.
As the ANC we would like to urge the law enforcement agencies to arrest everyone implicated in breaking the law irrespective of political affiliation. The ANC is committed to peaceful co-existence among the people of KwaZulu-Natal.