The Congress of South African Trade Unions(COSATU) in the Eastern Cape condemns the shootings in the province that resulted in the death of the African National Congress(ANC) Alfred Nzo Regional Executive Committee member, Comrade Thembile Luvela and another that left the ANC Dr W.B. Rubusana Regional Deputy Chairperson wounded.

These two shooting incidents have shocked and enraged the federation. Comrade Thembile Luvela was shot and succumbed to death while driving along the N2 road near Mount Ayliff yesterday afternoon, while Comrade Kayise Tom was shot and wounded at her NU 9 home in Mdantsane. These shootings are among a concerning string of killings that have infested certain regions in our province and threaten the stability of the province.

COSATU in the Eastern Cape condemns the shootings of these two comrades, not as isolated incidents but as a reflection of a society we live in. Crime is on the rise, and our communities are under siege from criminals.

We call upon organisations in our communities to join hands with police and other law enforcement agencies and work together to combat crime. When communities are united against crime with the assistance of law enforcement agencies, they become in charge of their environment.

We hope that witnesses of these shootings will cooperate and assist police to get to the bottom of the cases and that perpetrators will face the full might of the law.

The Federation expresses its sincere sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Luvela family, relatives, friends, colleagues, the ANC and the entire liberation movement for this catastrophic loss. We also wish Comrade Kayise Tom a speedy recovery.

Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape

For more information please contact:
Mkhawuleli Maleki(COSATU Provincial Secretary)
Mobile: 082 339 5482
Email: mkhawuleli@cosatu.org.za