Pretoria, 5 January 2009 - Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sicelo Shiceka, has added his voice in strongly condemning the murder of the Speaker of Mbombela Local Municipality in Nelspruit, Councillor Jimmy Mohlala, calling on the police to leave no stone unturned in bringing the murderer to face the full wrath of the law.

Councillor Mohlala, 44, was gunned down at his house in KaNyamazane on Sunday night, while his 19-year-old son was shot and wounded.

“The killing of people who hold leadership positions in particularly municipalities, and other spheres of government, is a threat to our hard-won democracy as it deprives the country of seasoned leadership at a level of government where it is most needed,” Minister Shiceka said.

The Minister further expressed his deep condolences to the Mohlala family on the untimely loss of a father, a husband, son and brother who was also a leader of his community. Minister Shiceka reiterated the call by the police for anyone who may have information on the culprits to bring that to authorities.

Condolences to the family of veteran footballer, Reuben Mahlalela

The Minister, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the 2010 World Cup Host Cities Forum, has also voiced his condolences to the family of another Mpumalanga leader, Reuben Mahlalela, who passed on following a short illness.

The veteran football administrator worked for the Local Organising Committee as a venue volunteer coordinator in the 2010 Fifa World Cup host city of Nelspruit at the time of his passing, and his death is seen as a setback to World Cup preparations for Nelspruit.