Murder of another ANC councillor in Tshwane opens ‘old wounds’, says the party

The ANC in Tshwane says the lack of arrests and successful prosecution of those involved in the murders of councillors seems to have emboldened killers to target more councillors.

This comes after Ward 10 Councillor Thabang Masemola was shot and killed by an unknown gunman in Mamelodi township on Tuesday.

Regional ANC spokesperson Bafuze Yabo expressed the party's shock at the news of Masemola's fatal shooting, describing it as a “brutal and inhumane killing”. 

Tshwane district police spokesperson Warrant Officer Marinda Austin said Masemola was gunned down outside a tuck shop in Mamelodi. 

According to Austin, the late councillor had recently purchased a new vehicle and had planned to show it to a companion and take it for a test drive.

During the drive, they stopped to buy food and pulled over on Malapana Street to chat with a friend.

“During their conversation, an unknown male wearing a jacket with a hoodie approached the victim, produced a firearm, and without any warning, pointed it at the victim and fired several shots,” she said.

The suspect then escaped the scene by car, police said, adding that they are following all leads as part of the ongoing investigation. 

“The SAPS reaffirm their commitment to conducting this investigation with integrity and diligence, every effort is being made to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice is served,” Austin said.

The ANC called on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate Masemola's murder, as well as the murders of other councillors, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“It is quite disturbing that the spate of killings of councillors is not receding quickly enough, and it is getting more worrisome because many of these cases are never resolved with no successful arrests and convictions made,” Yabo said.

He noted that this killing “opens up old wounds” of other councillors who were gunned down in recent years, including Siphiwe Montlha of Ward 37 in Soshanguve, Esther Motumane of Ward 19 in Winterveld, and Tshepo Motaung of Ward 22 in Mabopane.

“The lack of arrests and successful prosecution of the perpetrators seems to have emboldened killers to kill even more councillors,” he said.

The ANC leadership extended condolences to the Masemola family, the party membership, and the community of Ward 10. 

DA caucus spokesperson, Ofentse Madzebatela, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence. These barbaric acts of violence must be condemned unequivocally, as they threaten the very foundations of peace and dignity.” 

The DA urged law enforcement agencies to take swift action to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“Public trust in the SAPS has been deeply eroded due to years of corruption and unfulfilled promises. Considering the recent allegations of corruption brought by Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, involving some of the country’s top-ranking officials, residents feel even more unsafe,” Madzebatela said.

Cape Times