ActionSA condemns killing of Bohlabela regional chairperson, condolences pour in

ActionSA has condemned the killing of the party’s Bohlabela regional chairperson, Dr Ezrom Mathumbu, who was shot dead on the R536 near Cork Village on Wednesday night, March 5.

A joint statement signed by both ActionSA’s president, Herman Mashaba, and the party’s member of the Provincial Legislature, Thoko Mashiane, described Mathumbu as a committed community leader.

“One death is always one too many, but the cold-blooded murder of a servant of the people on his way home, from his many community engagements, will not be tolerated. Mathumbu was a dedicated community activist and leader who was fully invested in being part of the solution to healing the nation, one community at a time,” reads the statement.

“We mourn the untimely passing of Mathumbu and will do everything in our power to provide the necessary assistance to his family. We shall also ensure the work he began is continued, so that his legacy is marked only by his dedication to our country,” it adds.

The two leaders said the party was totally outraged with Mathumbu’s killing and called upon the acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, to ensure that no stone is left unturned to find and bring the perpetrators of this killing to book.

“We know things have descended to totally unacceptable lows when we are forced to move from discussing the best approaches to delivering services to our communities to fearing violent attacks,” the statement said.

According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, Mathumbu was driving in his bakkie along the R536 near Cork Village when he was attacked at about 19:30.

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A number of cartridges were found on the scene, but nothing seemed to have been taken from the victim suggesting this was a premeditated murder.

Meanwhile, condolences have started pouring in over Mathumbu’s death, with the Kruger National Park’s spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla, being one of the first to offer comfort to the family. “I’m so saddened by what has happened. The Kruger Park team sends its heartfelt condolences to Mathumbu’s family and friends. He was retired, but had worked as the hospitality services manager at Satara for many years,” said Phaahla.

Mathumbu’s close associate, James Shikwambane, the Limpopo-based radio station, Capricorn FM’s station manager, and former Munghana Lonene FM DJ, said: “I am heartbroken. It feels like a bad dream. Mathumbu was a kind man. I recently spent time with him and his wife. He shared his political ambition and the progress of his post-doctoral studies. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and close ones.”

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Mathumbu was a cabinet minister in the former Gazankulu government, and Asser Mathabela who worked as a chief director in his department said the country has lost a very talented man. “His dream was development in every sphere. He was a talented politician, a vibrant pastor, a radio personality and has worked as a clerk at the Jongilanga Tribal Authority before becoming a cabinet minister during our time. May his family and friends find a way to accept his untimely passing. I send my heartfelt condolences to them all,” said Mathabela.

The former Kruger Park spokesperson, William Mabasa, and veteran journalist Benson Ntlemo were some of Mathumbu’s close associates who sent their condolences to his family and friends. “He was a humble man who could not even hurt a fly,” said Ntlemo.