DD goes down to the grave with darkest political secrets: families of slain officials speak out
The passing of former deputy president David Dabede Mabuza has prompted a wave of tributes across South Africa — but in Mpumalanga, where he once ruled as premier, it has also reopened painful memories for families who believe the province's darkest political secrets were buried long before him.
Mabuza died last week following a prolonged illness.
His death has been met with solemn reflection from across the political spectrum, with the ANC organising memorials in multiple provinces. In his hometown of Barberton, mourners have gathered in large numbers to pay their respects.
ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane has led tributes, calling Mabuza a 'dedicated leader who served his people with dignity.' Yet beyond the official statements and songs of remembrance, there is a different tone emerging from communities still living with the scars of unresolved violence.
One such voice is that of Tshediso Mohlala, daughter of the late Jimmy Mohlala, the former Mbombela Municipality speaker who was gunned down in 2009 outside his home in KaNyamazane.
Mohlala had been outspoken about irregularities tied to the Mbombela Stadium tender ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was expected to testify about corruption and mismanagement within the municipality.
Days before that testimony, he was killed. In a public Facebook post, Tshediso wrote: 'The system may have failed you, Dad. But we believe the truth will never die. We will not stop calling for justice, even when others choose silence.
Your name will never be forgotten.'Her words have since been widely shared, reigniting discussions around political violence in Mpumalanga — a province long associated with intimidation, hit-lists, and suspicious killings of whistleblowers. Jimmy Mohlala's murder remains unsolved.
He had insisted on accountability for those behind the stadium tender process and pushed for criminal charges against contractors and officials.
His death, coming just days before he was due in court, was seen by many as a warning to others who considered speaking out. In an exclusive interview with The Star, Lassy Chiwayo, former Mbombela mayor and one-time political ally turned critic of Mabuza, also reflected on this history in recent interviews.
He says Mabuza's tenure was marked by a culture of silence, fear, corruption and a reign of terror. 'There are still too many unanswered questions,' Chiwayo said.
'We were living in a climate where challenging powerful interests could cost you your life. For some of us, it nearly did. Chiwayo, who had been outspoken about alleged corruption in the province, endured intense pressure and threats under Mabuza's leadership.
''At the height of the political tensions, he survived attempts on his life and lived with the daily reality of being on a reported hit-list.
Sources within the provincial government at the time claimed his death might have been linked to his refusal to approve a R20 million tender allegedly connected to a politically influential figure.
Neither Mohlala's nor Mphatlanyane's murders have resulted in prosecutions. Former businessperson Thabo Theledi, also named on a hit list, said he was shocked to find himself a target. 'I left politics years ago,' he said in a 2010 interview. 'I run a petrol station and have no idea why anyone would want me dead.'
A police source later confirmed that an attempted hit on Theledi was narrowly avoided after the would-be assassin backed out.
Despite public outrage and years of speculation, progress in these cases has been minimal.
Sibongile Nkosi, a provincial police spokesperson, said that while the hit-lists were investigated, authorities were unable to confirm their origins or authenticity.
'A number of people were questioned,' she said, 'but no solid evidence has ever emerged that could lead to successful prosecutions.
'He thrived in chaos. That is why Matthews(Phosa) removed him from the Cabinet in 1996. Wherever he was, there was chaos. There has always been a dark cloud around this man.
''From inflating the matric results when he was an education MEC. When it came to the ANC, he specialised in bogus branches. There was a migration of people from Mozambique and Swaziland to pose as members of the ANC.
''The harm he caused will haunt the ANC, the province and the country long after Mabuza is gone. It will take us decades to correct the years of Mabuza and his tender-thugs. It will take us decades to heal the ANC in Mpumalanga'
Chiwayo is among several individuals whose names appeared on alleged hit-lists circulating in the province during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
One such list named over 20 individuals marked for assassination or poisoning. Among the names were civil servants, politicians, and businesspeople, many of whom had challenged tender irregularities or refused to cooperate with corrupt demands.
Another person named on these lists was Sammy Mphatlanyane, a senior government communications officer, who was shot outside his Nelspruit home in early 2009.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


eNCA
an hour ago
- eNCA
National Mourning period for the passing of David Mabuza begins
MPUMALANGA - Monday, marked the first day of the national mourning period for the late former deputy president David Mabuza. A National Mourning Period is typically declared after the death of prominent figures in society to remember and show respect for them. With national flags ordered to fly at half-mast countrywide, these days are meant to be marked by solemnity and reflection. Some residents in Mabuza's home province in Mpumalanga believe this period offers an opportunity to reflect on his legacy. President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed the mourning period to end on Saturday night.

The Herald
an hour ago
- The Herald
'I'm the ANC boss at Luthuli House': Mbalula defends premature announcement of Mabuza's death
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has defended his decision to announce the death of former deputy president David Mabuza before the government. Mabuza died in hospital on Thursday. He will be honoured with a state funeral. Mbalula was criticised for sharing the news on social media two hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC released a statement on the matter. His actions are said to have irritated the ANC's top brass and the office of the president, the Sunday Times reported. In an interview with eNCA, Mbalula said he has the authority to speak on behalf of the ANC as the secretary-general and saw nothing wrong with his actions. 'I'm the boss of the ANC at Luthuli House,' he said. 'I communicate with families, and families communicate with me. That must be respected. The criticism is unfortunate and unfair. 'Veterans of the ANC pass away; I get informed, and I communicate with the leadership I lead.' He said he was informed about Mabuza's death by his family while he was visiting a doctor. 'I did not pick up the news of Mabuza from the street; I was informed by the family as the SG of the ANC. I gave instructions to the head office ... not to announce the death but to express condolences through my platform. Then we released a statement.' Mbalula criticised journalists who questioned his actions. 'Mabuza was the deputy president of the ANC. As the SG, I have a cordial, good and strong bond and relationship with my president. Why do people want to draw a wedge over a non-issue? I'm the SG, not an ordinary member of the ANC or the NEC. I convey messages on behalf of the ANC. 'Let people attack me about many other things but let them not deface what I was elected for and reduce me to a street man who doesn't have responsibility at Luthuli House. If I were to give attention to this, I would never function.' TimesLIVE

The Herald
an hour ago
- The Herald
‘We want arrests, not statements' — ANCYL president slams SAPS amid explosive drug allegations
'His role as a commissioner of police is to arrest those who do crime. We don't want him to be a pop star. If he wants to contest politics, he must come to branches of the ANC and contest. But if he wants to be a commissioner, he must arrest those who do crime. We don't want statements, we want arrests.' Malatji also made it clear no one should be above the law, not even the police minister. 'If the minister of police is doing crime, he must be arrested. We are not a lawless country,' he said. While Malatji's comments sparked support from some, many social media users criticised them as hasty, given the serious and unproven nature of the allegations. Responding to the public reaction on X, Malatji doubled down. 'It's heartbreaking to learn through allegations that some leaders in our country are either working with drug lords, part of drug syndicates or protecting drug criminals,' he said. 'As someone who despises drugs, this is deeply painful. Drugs have ravaged our youth, creating unemployed and unemployable young people across South Africa. 'To hear certain leaders might be complicit in syndicates is infuriating and hurtful,' Malatji said. 'We must take a stand to clean this country and remove all drug dealers and their enablers in all corridors of power.' Mchunu and Sibiya said the allegations levelled against them by Mkhwanazi are without merit. President Cyril Ramaphosa described the situation as 'a matter of grave national security concern'. He pledged to outline a course of action on his return from the Brics leaders summit in Brazil. TimesLIVE