21 November 2012
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) in KwaZulu-Natal is highly disturbed by the latest spate of alleged political killings in KwaMashu.
“These senseless killings have no place in our new democratic dispensation.
The people of KwaZulu-Natal have chosen peace over political violence. They have suffered enormous pain during the political violence which ravaged the province in ‘80s and early ‘90s, and they are not prepared to walk that path of political turmoil and violence again”, says Mbuso Ngubane, NUMSA Regional Secretary
Since the advent of democracy in 1994 and the ascendency of the ANC into power, the people of KwaZulu-Natal joined the rest of the people of South Africa in building peace and political stability in our country.
“We were victims of well-orchestrated and apartheid-sponsored political violence during the peak of political intolerance in the province. We lost a number of activists in the trenches fighting for peace and political stability in the province.
Our wounds have not healed and what is currently happening in KwaMashu is opening-up those unhealed wounds.
The peace and stability that is now being enjoyed by our people in the province was achieved through the shedding of blood of Jabulile Ndlovu and countless others.
We call on political leaders to rise above petty political squabbles by putting peace first in the interests of our people,” says Ngubane.
We call on the law enforcement agencies, particularly the South African Police Services (SAPS) to work tirelessly in apprehending the alleged perpetrators of these inhumane, barbaric and senseless killings.
We strongly believe that political differences should not be resolved through the barrel of the gun or the shedding of blood, but through political engagement and persuasion.
We call on the community of KwaMashu and surroundings in memory of our departed leader, comrade Sam ‘Nyambose’ Mthethwa, a people’s person for people’s power, a champion for peace and a fierce opponent of political violence, to remain calm amidst these senseless killings and allow the law enforcement agencies to instil law and order in the area.
Contact:
Mbuso Ngubane, Regional Secretary – +2779 502 3242