Shootings fuel speculation of political motivation
Two men, believed to be 40 and 60-years-old, were shot dead in Inchanga on Sunday, near a venue where it is believed an SA Communist Party meeting was being held.
The SACP meeting was apparently held about 3km away from where an African National Congress ward councillor candidate nomination meeting was being held, which has fuelled speculation that the killings may have been politically motivated.
According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Brigadier Jay Naicker, the shooting took place at about 11.40am.
“It is alleged that there was a community meeting at Kandokweni Sports Ground, Fredville, when a shooting ensued,” said Naicker.
“The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage. Three men who were in possession of firearms have been taken in for questioning by police,” he said.
ANC eThekwini regional secretary Bheki Ntuli said he was aware of the shooting, “but it did not take place at the venue [where the ANC was meeting],” he said.
According to residents, the SACP had been announcing over a loudhailer from a vehicle since Friday that they would be hosting a meeting at Kandokweni.
The ANC meeting was held at Michael Gwala community hall to nominate candidates for ward four.
According to ward four ANC councillor Dennis Shozi, who was at the meeting, he only found out about the shooting when he left the meeting.
“We heard [no gunshots] and saw nothing. When I left the hall, I was told about the police at the sports ground,” he said.
According to a resident who lives near the Michael Gwala hall, an SACP meeting was taking place at Kandokweni sports ground at the same time as the ANC meeting at the community hall.
“There is little doubt that the SACP held a meeting at the stadium. Everyone in the neighbourhood knows what happened today [Sunday].”
Another source said there was a suspicious car in the area prior to the shooting. All sources asked not to be named for fear of victimisation. Attempts to reach the SACP for comment were unsuccessful.