Escourt Mayor Maliyakhe Shelembe. Photo: Bongani Mbatha Escourt Mayor Maliyakhe Shelembe. Photo: Bongani Mbatha
The sacked IFP mayor of Umtshezi, in Estcourt, Maliyakhe Shelembe, who survived an attack by gunmen on Monday night, has blamed “internal conflicts” within the party for the attack.
Shelembe escaped unharmed when gunmen opened fire on his car while he was driving home from a meeting held to discuss plans for a year-end function, to be addressed by IFP national chairwoman Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi.
“I was about 600m away from my home. I heard bullets hitting my car. I vaguely saw figures running away,” Shelembe said.
Police found six AK-47 and R5 rifle cartridges at the scene.
The IFP fired Shelembe from his position after accusing him of performing badly. But he says he was sacked because he was a close ally of kaMagwaza-Msibi and supported her bid to become the next IFP president.
Shelembe had organised for kaMagwaza-Msibi to be a guest speaker at a function today.
“In the IFP if you are a supporter of kaMagwaza-Msibi, you are either expelled from the party or your life is at risk. The function that Zanele was to attend was a non-political function,” he said.
kaMagwaza-Mbisi said: “This is very sad. It’s disappointing and hurtful. I have spoken to members of the party and urged them to calm down and not to retaliate.
“We are now working with the police... but we are urging the party not to let this escalate.”
Police spokesman Thulani Zwane said a case of attempted murder had been opened.
- The Mercury