ANC councillor stalked and killed
‘SENSELESS’: ANC Ward Councillor Luyanda Mbele was killed in Wallacedene ‘SENSELESS’: ANC Ward Councillor Luyanda Mbele was killed in Wallacedene
A murdered ANC ward councillor who mediated between warring taxi associations had a premonition something would happen to him.
The party and residents of Kraaifontein on Monday expressed shock at the death of Ward 101 councillor Luyanda Mbele.
Mbele and his cousin Mzwandile Mathenjwa, 44, were gunned down in Ndeleni Street in Wallacedene shortly after 9 pm on Sunday.
The two men had been driving and had just dropped off a relative in the area when they were followed by a white BMW and ambushed by unknown suspects.
Both men died on the scene due to the extent of their injuries.
Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the grieving family to pay his respects.
Western Cape ANC secretary Faiez Jacobs said the party was “shocked and saddened” by the “senseless killing”.
VICTIM: Mzwandile Mathenjwa, 44
“He was a fiercely strong community leader and an active councillor in that area,” Jacobs said.
He said Mbele had been on edge because he “knew people were after him”.
“A close comrade explained comrade Luyanda had stated he felt as if something was not right,” Jacobs told the Daily Voice.
“Luyanda was a transport activist and many times acted as the mediator between taxi associations.
“He tried to seek resolutions to the public transport crisis in the Western Cape.
“He was not robbed, however, we do not want to speculate on who or why.”
On Monday afternoon scores of mourners came to Mbele’s home to pay their respects to the grieving family.
Hanif Loonat, ANC Regional Executive Committee (REC) Safety and Security Co-ordinator, says a special SAPS task team has been established to solve the case.
FIGHT FOR JUSTICE: Faiez Jacobs
“We thank Major-General Jeremy Vearey for putting together a team that’s going to help us solve this crime,” Loonat said.
Jacobs said they will not rest until justice is served for Mbele.
“We call on our members and the community at large to not rest until the killers are brought to book. Any information must be brought forward to the police so that arrests can be made.”
He added: “Our local branch is working with family and we will provide information about a memorial service and the funeral in due course.”
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, confirmed a case of double murder is under investigation.
“Kraaifontein detectives are working around the clock in an effort to find the perpetrators,” Van Wyk said.