North West - North West Premier Edna Molewa has expressed shock and sadness at the death of Moss Phakoe, a councillor from the Rustenburg Local Municipality, who was shot on Saturday night outside his home.
Premier Molewa has sent condolences on behalf of the provincial government to the family of the late Mr Phakoe, describing his death "as a tragic loss of a loyal servant of the people of Rustenburg and North West".
Expressing shock and sadness at his tragic death, Ms Molewa reassured the people of the North West that the police will do everything possible to find the perpetrators.
"I am confident that the law-enforcement agencies of our country will leave no stone unturned in its efforts to bring perpetrators of this callous crime to justice."
Provincial MEC for Developmental Local Government and Housing, Howard Yawa has also condemned the murder and described it as a cowardly and heinous act that has robbed communities of a forthright, assertive and hardworking public representative.
While appealing for calm from the community, the MEC has cautioned against speculation and urged members of the community to come forward with whatever information that might assist the police in their investigations and lead to the arrest of the culprits responsible.
The Chairperson of South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Councillor Amos Masondo said he was shocked and horrified by the callous act against a public representative.
"SALGA condemns this act of criminality in the strongest possible terms and urge the law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in bringing those responsible to book," he said.
He said Mr Phakoe was a rare person, having served his community with distinction, dedication and tenacity as a councillor during the local government transitional era and then as a Member of the Mayoral Committee of the Bojanala District Municipality and Rustenburg Local Municipality.
"The local government family is poorer today and the killing of Councillor Phakoe is made even more dreadful by coming just a few months after the senseless murder of another councillor, Jimmy Mohlala. This is one murder of a councillor too many", Mr Masondo said.
He said SALGA hopes that his family, friends and colleagues will find solace in the knowledge and confidence that the law enforcement agencies will leave no stone unturned in their investigations that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the cowards that were responsible.
