IFP Safety & Security Spokesperson, Velaphi Ndlovu MP, has expressed outrage at the brutal elimination of the IFP Chairperson in Voslsorus, East Rand, Mr Radebe.

Mr Radebe was shot eight times in his supermarket on Sunday by assailants who notably stole nothing from the shop.

Mr Ndlovu said:

"The brutal murder of Mr Radebe causes the IFP grave concerns about the forthcoming local elections. Recent events in the area and the fact that Mr Radebe's killers stole nothing from his supermarket point strongly towards a political motive for this appalling crime."

"This murder has taken place at a time of increasing tension with the ANC in the area. Mr Radebe had just completed canvassing in his community for the local elections when his life was so savagely struck down."

"The murder of Mr Radebe must call into question the peace process between the IFP and the ANC. We are shocked both by Mr Radebe's murder and also by the implications it has for free and fair elections on December 5th. The police are now carrying out their inquiries and I urge the ANC to give its full co-operation to their inquiry and to ensuring that, if any ANC members were involved, they are swiftly identified and handed over to the police."

"These killers must be brought to book before they poison our whole election process."

"Minister B. M. Skosana, the IFP's deployed leader in the Province will be visiting the area, in person tomorrow afternoon, to ascertain the full facts and to ensure safety and security of other IFP candidates. In the meantime I ask our party members to remain calm and not to respond to this outrage with any rash actions."

"We request the police to take immediate action to ensure that candidates of all political parties are given such protection as may be required to secure the free and fair conduct of our forthcoming elections."

"Finally, I must make it clear to all political parties that the IFP will not tolerate the intimidation of our candidates. We will not allow other parties to undermine the democratic process by forcing our candidates to live in fear."

-ENDS-

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