Murder-accused, former ward 101 ANC councillor, Mzimuni Ngiba. Picture: Supplied
The former ANC Ward 101 councillor in eThekwini, Mzimuni Ngiba, has distanced himself from the murders that took place in his ward in 2021 before the local government elections.
However, he told the Durban High Court that the killings were a result of political tensions.
Siyabonga Mkhize, an ANC ward candidate of Ward 101, and Mzukisi Nyanga, an ANC activist, were shot and killed in Cato Crest.
Simphiwe Mlungisi Khanyile and Sicelo Notyesi were in the car with the victims at the time of the shooting on October 15 and they survived.
Ngiba, Nkosinathi Emmanuel Ngcobo, Sandile Mzizi, Sifiso Vincent Mlondo, and Phathisakhe Ngiba are on trial for the murders. They are also charged with two counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of firearms, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Additionally, compared to earlier sessions, the gallery was much less chaotic. There were many police officers in the courtroom, and everyone was paying close attention.
During the cross-examination, counsel for Ngiba and Ngcobo, advocate Andrew Matlamela, put it to the State witness that his clients did not know about the murders of the duo.
He put it to the witness, who is now a ward councillor of Ward 101, Simphiwe Khanyile, that the murders of Mkhize and Nyanga were a result of internal factions within the ANC.
There were two factions of the ANC within this ward. One was called Unity and Continuity (U&C), and the other was called Renewal Rebuilding Unity (RRU). Mkhize and Nyanga were members of the U&C faction and all four accused, excluding Mzizi, were members of the RRU faction. Mzizi was not an ANC member.
Matlamela alleged the duo was killed owing to the tensions in the U&C faction. Khanyile answered by saying he could not comment on it.
Matlamela questioned Khanyile about the number of people within the U&U faction who wanted to be the councillors, including himself. He asked if there was conflict within the faction.
Khanyile confirmed that there had been disagreements, and individuals believed they were suitable candidates due to their substantial support.
Khanyile claimed that although his name was brought up as a potential ward candidate, he turned it down since he had no interest in serving as a ward councillor. According to him, they ultimately decided to nominate Mkhize as their candidate within his camp.
“The decision that we took there was that Mkhize was going to be a candidate and the person in disagreement with that, was not going to be supported,” he said.
Matlamela read a statement from one of the State witnesses that is yet to come to court. The statement said Khanyile wanted to contest Ngiba (Mzimuni), who had been a ward councillor for 12 years.
According to the statement, Khanyile was afraid to challenge Ngiba because he was aware of the type of guy he was and the consequences for those who opposed him.
“This part indicates that you had an interest in being a councillor,” said Matlamela.
“I deny that,” answered Khanyile.
Attorney Sibusiso Dlamini, counsel for Mzizi, said his client would tell the court that he had no issues with Khanyile, Nyanga, and Mkhize. Khanyile responded that he did not know when asked to comment.
He will further state that he had no involvement in the case in general or the attempted murders.
“There is nothing that I can comment on. This is his opinion,” said Khanyile.
The trial continues.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za