DD goes down to the grave with darkest political secrets: families of slain officials speak out

The passing of former deputy president David Dabede Mabuza has prompted a wave of tributes across South Africa — but in Mpumalanga, where he once ruled as premier, it has also reopened painful memories for families who believe the province’s darkest political secrets were buried long before him.

Mabuza died last week following a prolonged illness.

His death has been met with solemn reflection from across the political spectrum, with the ANC organising memorials in multiple provinces. In his hometown of Barberton, mourners have gathered in large numbers to pay their respects.

ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane has led tributes, calling Mabuza a “dedicated leader who served his people with dignity.” Yet beyond the official statements and songs of remembrance, there is a different tone emerging from communities still living with the scars of unresolved violence.

One such voice is that of Tshediso Mohlala, daughter of the late Jimmy Mohlala, the former Mbombela Municipality speaker who was gunned down in 2009 outside his home in KaNyamazane.

Mohlala had been outspoken about irregularities tied to the Mbombela Stadium tender ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was expected to testify about corruption and mismanagement within the municipality.

Days before that testimony, he was killed. In a public Facebook post, Tshediso wrote: “The system may have failed you, Dad. But we believe the truth will never die. We will not stop calling for justice, even when others choose silence.

Your name will never be forgotten.”Her words have since been widely shared, reigniting discussions around political violence in Mpumalanga — a province long associated with intimidation, hit-lists, and suspicious killings of whistleblowers. Jimmy Mohlala’s murder remains unsolved.

He had insisted on accountability for those behind the stadium tender process and pushed for criminal charges against contractors and officials.

His death, coming just days before he was due in court, was seen by many as a warning to others who considered speaking out. In an exclusive interview with The Star, Lassy Chiwayo, former Mbombela mayor and one-time political ally turned critic of Mabuza, also reflected on this history in recent interviews.

He says Mabuza’s tenure was marked by a culture of silence, fear,  corruption and a reign of terror. “There are still too many unanswered questions,” Chiwayo said.

“We were living in a climate where challenging powerful interests could cost you your life. For some of us, it nearly did. Chiwayo, who had been outspoken about alleged corruption in the province, endured intense pressure and threats under Mabuza’s leadership.

''At the height of the political tensions, he survived attempts on his life and lived with the daily reality of being on a reported hit-list.

Sources within the provincial government at the time claimed his death might have been linked to his refusal to approve a R20 million tender allegedly connected to a politically influential figure.

Neither Mohlala’s nor Mphatlanyane’s murders have resulted in prosecutions. Former businessperson Thabo Theledi, also named on a hit list, said he was shocked to find himself a target. “I left politics years ago,” he said in a 2010 interview. “I run a petrol station and have no idea why anyone would want me dead.”

A police source later confirmed that an attempted hit on Theledi was narrowly avoided after the would-be assassin backed out.

Despite public outrage and years of speculation, progress in these cases has been minimal.

Sibongile Nkosi, a provincial police spokesperson, said that while the hit-lists were investigated, authorities were unable to confirm their origins or authenticity.

“A number of people were questioned,” she said, “but no solid evidence has ever emerged that could lead to successful prosecutions.

“He thrived in chaos. That is why Matthews(Phosa) removed him from the Cabinet in 1996. Wherever he was, there was chaos. There has always been a dark cloud around this man.

''From inflating the matric results when he was an education MEC. When it came to the ANC, he specialised in bogus branches. There was a migration of people from Mozambique and Swaziland to pose as members of the ANC.

''The harm he caused will haunt the ANC, the province and the country long after Mabuza is gone. It will take us decades to correct the years of Mabuza and his tender-thugs. It will take us decades to heal the ANC in Mpumalanga”

Chiwayo is among several individuals whose names appeared on alleged hit-lists circulating in the province during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

One such list named over 20 individuals marked for assassination or poisoning. Among the names were civil servants, politicians, and businesspeople, many of whom had challenged tender irregularities or refused to cooperate with corrupt demands.

Another person named on these lists was Sammy Mphatlanyane, a senior government communications officer, who was shot outside his Nelspruit home in early 2009.