JOHANNESBURG, May 24 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's fight against political killings yielded some fruits on Thursday when the police arrested a 31-year-old Endumeni municipality mayor, councilor and hit man for plotting to kill the speaker of the local authority.
South Africa is experiencing political killings resulting from tender disagreements, political aspirations and cover up for corruption. Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson confirmed the arrested of the three suspects.
Mhlongo said, "The three suspects - the mayor, a councilor and a hit man - allegedly planned an assassination plot against the speaker who is alleged to be an obstacle in the awarding of a tender. It is understood the speaker allegedly suspected undue influence and possible corruption in the process."
The three were scheduled to appear in court on Thursday at Estcourt Magistrates' Court facing conspiracy to murder and other related charges. Some politicians have been accused of hiring some hit man to kill others.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited KwaZulu Natal where political killings are prevalent last week. He then instructed some ministers and law enforcement agencies to give him a report about what they have done and intend to do to stop the political killings.
