Sedibeng Municipal Manager shot dead

On Saturday afternoon (October 3), the Municipal Manager of the Sedibeng District Mr Stan Khanyile was fatally shot at a Meyersdal mall parking lot in Alberton.

The South African Local Government Association, SALGA has condemned the assasination, calling it a ‘sensless killing.’

Apart from his role in Sedibeng, Khanyile also served as Chairperson of the Gauteng Municipal Manager’s Forum. Before his seven year career as the municipal manager, he was

“In light of this tragic incident, SALGA joins the entire local government community in mourning the death of Mr Khanyile and in expressing its sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

“SALGA would like to point out that this murder underscores the widespread impunity for killings and intimidation of municipal managers and councillors. The association, in the year 2017, released a report on the intimidation and killing of councillors and municipal managers titled Violence in Democracy,” said the association.

The report revealed that politically motivated killings have been shown to have negative effects on service delivery, the professionalization of local government and are a threat to democracy.

SALGA therefore hopes that the circumstances of Mr Khanyile’s death will begin to emerge and that our trusted law enforcement agencies will act swiftly to make sure that those behind this senseless murder are brought to book.

The Sedibeng District Mayor, coucillor Busi Modisakeng also condemned the killing. She has expressed her condolences to the family of Khanyile as well as the residents of the municipality.

“I humbly urge that we provide the Khanyile family and friends the much needed space and support during this dark and trying time for their loss, to ensure that Mr Khanyile receives a dignified send-off,” she said.

Police are currently investigating the incident, including looking for the suspects behind the assassination.

Reports from eyewitnesses suggest that Khanyile’s Mercedes-Benz was hailed with bullets aimed at the two occupants of the vehicle.

Police have appealed to anyone with information about the incident to report it to the nearest station or report anonymously