The ANC has condemned the killing of four young people in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, as questions mount over Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s handling of allegations that the suspect in custody is one of its members.
The death toll from the shooting in Sophangisa Street rose to four after two more victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital. Five other people, aged between 12 and 27, were wounded when a gunman allegedly opened fire on a group returning from a memorial service for slain ANC and ANC Youth League leader Jeanette Magugu on Tuesday, October 13.
The initial victims were two young men, aged 23 and 21. The identities of the four deceased have not been independently confirmed in the information available to African Times.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that a suspect handed himself over to police and remains in custody. The case, involving murder and attempted murder charges, has been assigned to the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
According to information obtained by African Times, the suspect is Fani Sibeko, an Afrika Mayibuye member and a political mobiliser in Ekurhuleni. Sources said the victims were ANC Youth League (ANCYL) members who had attended Magugu’s memorial service at Mogobeng Primary School.
In a statement, the ANC condemned the killings, describing the news of its members being killed and wounded as shocking and heartbreaking.
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the deaths came at a critical time as the country searched for solutions to rampant and violent crime, with local government elections approaching.
The party welcomed the deployment of the PKTT to investigate the motive behind the shooting and other political killings across the country.
The ANC also called for a broader national discussion on gun violence, stricter firearm control and the proliferation of unlicensed firearms, saying efforts to create safer communities must be strengthened.
However, the incident has exposed conflicting accounts within the Afrika Mayibuye Movement about the suspect’s alleged membership.
In its media statement, the movement categorically denied that the suspect was one of its councillor candidates, adding that its leadership was investigating whether he belonged to the organisation.
The statement, issued by the movement, said his membership would be terminated immediately if the investigation established that he was a member.
But during an interview with Kasie FM on Wednesday, Ekurhuleni regional mobiliser and leader Khabo Shezi confirmed that Sibeko was a member in good standing and had served as a mobiliser in the region.
“I can confirm the suspect is a member until his membership was terminated on Wednesday. National asked if he is a member and we confirmed, he was serving in the structure,” Shezi said.
He maintained that Sibeko was not on the Independent Electoral Commission’s councillor candidate list.
Shezi said the matter remained under police investigation, although the organisation had heard that the shooting was accidental. Police have not publicly confirmed the circumstances that led to the shooting or established whether it was politically motivated.
On Thursday, African Times approached Afrika Mayibuye spokesperson Sydney Baloyi for comment on the apparent contradiction between the movement’s media statement and Shezi’s confirmation that the suspect had been a member.
Baloyi did not respond to the questions.
Meanwhile, sources offered differing accounts of what allegedly happened before the shooting. One claimed Sibeko became angry after believing young people were laughing at him after he addressed mourners and left the podium. Another alleged that he had been firing shots into the air before opening fire on people.
These accounts have not been independently verified.
Sibeko is expected to appear in court on Thursday. The investigation continues.
