It is time for a special task team similar to the one formed to investigate political violence and killings in KwaZulu-Natal to set up shop in the Eastern Cape.
Political violence must be stamped out immediately in the province — including Nelson Mandela Bay — and the only way for that to happen is for arrests to be made.
But it has been 58 days since the shocking murder of Ward 20 councillor Zwelandile Booi while he was driving in Tshawuka Street, Kwazakhele.
It has since emerged that Ward 55 councillor Thanduxolo Doda is the latest to receive threats.
Though the motive for the threats received by Doda remains unclear, he believes they are linked to his position as a councillor and not his support for Premier Oscar Mabuyane to be re-elected as ANC provincial chair.
The ANC Eastern Cape elective conference will be held in East London in about 10 days’ time.
The frightening messages and voice notes prompted Doda to report a criminal complaint to the police.
But the fact that the killers of his colleague and the ones who shot another party member are still on the loose has added to Doda’s fears.
ANC member Mazwi Mini was shot in the jaw in February.
Several other threats were issued against party members during branch general meetings.
This appears to make it more than a mere coincidence and urgently requires stringent police work with the help of the task team to end the violence.
The task team has had some successes, most recently by tracking down a 20-year-old man arrested in connection with the murder of ANC councillor Thembinkosi Lombo.
He was gunned down in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, in broad daylight on February 25.
Political violence is never justifiable but there has been a shocking growth within the ANC over the years.
It cannot be a coincidence that this usually occurs when party positions are up for grabs at regional, provincial and national elective conferences.
As we have come to know, with the positions come power, influence and access to those in charge of the state.
Police minister Bheki Cele must establish a special task team in the Eastern Cape to investigate political violence and put a stop to it once and for all before more lives are lost.
HeraldLIVE