DURBAN, April 17 (ANA) – The African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance on Sunday condemned the shooting of an ANC councillor in Durban’s troubled Glebelands Hostel.
“This is the worst and most callous act of cowardice that all of us, as law abiding citizens, must condemn in the strongest possible terms,” ANC spokesman Mdumiseni Ntuli said.
Zodwa Sibiya, 47, who was a PR councillor for the party, was shot dead on Saturday night in the hostel where she lived, according to Ntuli.
Further details on her killing were sketchy, but police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane confirmed that a case of murder had been opened at the Umlazi police station. He said no arrests had been made and the motive was unknown.
“I heard that she was on her way out [of the hostel] when she was shot,” Zwane said.
Sibiya’s death raises the number of people murdered in the troubled hostels located on the edge of Durban’s Umlazi township to 62 since March 2014.
eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo said he was shocked to hear of the shooting.
“Such cowardly acts must be condemned in the strongest way possible. We have been robbed of a leader when the country is working hard in redressing the gender imbalances. We call upon our security agencies to make sure that the perpetrators are brought to book,” said Nxumalo.
eThekwini council speaker Logie Naidoo said the shooting had come as a shock to him and fellow councillors.
“We are devastated that a life of a dedicated and hardworking person, like councillor Sibiya, has been ended so senselessly. We convey our condolences to the family, her work colleagues, and friends, and hope that police will move swiftly to arrest those responsible for this dastardly deed.”
The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal also sent heartfelt condolences to Sibiya’s family.
“Sibiya was one of the dedicated councillors who stood firm on fighting corruption in the hostel and the whole of eThekwini,” DA KwaZulu-Natal leader Zwakele Mncwango said on Sunday.
“It is a sad day in eThekwini and the whole province when we lose someone who is steadfast on protecting good governance. As the official opposition, we wish to send our condolences to the governing party, the family, and friends of the late councillor. She will be sorely missed,” he said.
– African News Agency (ANA)
