Cape Town – The mayor of the Lekwa Local Municipality, Delani Thabethe, reportedly escaped unharmed after two suspects fired shots at him outside his home in Standerton on Wednesday night.
Thabethe managed to flee back to his house, leaving his car behind, reports said.
The suspects, who fled on foot, fired three shots.
According to Sowetan Live, Thabethe was leaving his home to go to a local shop when he was targeted by armed assailants who immediately started firing shots at him.
“Fortunately, he was able to run back into the house, leaving the car at the gate. Three shots were fired and the suspects fled on foot…,” the municipality said in a statement.
“Councillor Thabethe then called for assistance contacting both the local police and Kasselman Security who arrived immediately at the scene.”
News24 said that the incident was being investigated as attempted murder, and no arrests had been made so far.
The report said that this was the second attack on a mayor in Mpumalanga, as a video circulated on social media showed the executive mayor of eMalahleni Local Municipality, Conny Nkalitshana, being stoned by protesters during a meeting.
The protesters accused Nkalitshana of arrogance and disregarding their concerns about service delivery issues, specifically the lack of electricity, the report said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Getty Images
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
