Municipal traffic head charged with attempted murder

AN MTHONJANENI municipal traffic police acting station commander, 38, in Melmoth has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after protesters were shot at.

He was arrested yesterday morning and is expected to appear in the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court today with three co-accused, who were arrested last week after the same incident.

Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele confirmed his arrest.

“Their arrest follows a protest that took place on June 6 at 3pm where community members from Thubalethu embarked in a protest action. During the protest, three people were shot and wounded,” said Mbele.

She said five other suspects were appearing in court this morning.

The Daily News understands the five include the mayor and speaker’s bodyguards who were arrested on Friday, while at the event guarding Melmoth mayor Mbangiseni Biyela and speaker Ntombiyenkosi Mbatha.

Municipality spokesperson Senzo Mbatha declined to comment, saying it was a police matter.

Last week, the Daily News reported on the shooting linked to internal fighting within the municipality after the dismissal of former mayor Bonginkosi Biyela and three councillors by the IFP.

Last week, Biyela had said the people who were shot were his supporters who wanted the party leadership to reverse the decision and reinstate him and the councillors. He said yesterday he hoped justice would prevail.

Biyela called for more arrests, including those of two IFP councillors whom he said were seen shooting at his supporters. “We are happy that, finally, the culprits will account for their actions. This happened in broad daylight, so it shouldn’t be a problem identifying those who shot at the people for voicing their opinions.”

He said he had been informed that police had organised an identity parade where people have been asked to point out those who opened fire on them.

Last week, IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa blamed the dismissed officials for the shooting. He said they had instigated the violence, and municipality officials had a right to be protected, although they were not on duty that day.

IFP local leadership were expected to address the people and explain why the former mayor and councillors were expelled, but a commotion broke out and bodyguards allegedly fired at the crowd.