THE National Freedom Party (NFP) is calling for the protection of their councillors in Nongoma as they are under attack.
This was after another NFP councillor survived a planned assassination at her home at Mandlakazi Village in Nongoma, northern KZN.
It's alleged that two gunmen entered Councillor Senzeni Zulu's home on Saturday, 30 September and enquired about her whereabouts from her husband.
When the councillor's husband indicated that Senzeni wasn't home, they shot and killed him before fleeing.
Senzeni's husband, Mntwana Chomane Zulu, was also an induna in the village.
This incident has made the NFP call for the national government to consider imposing a curfew in Nongoma.
The party's secretary-general Canaan Mdletshe said since July 2023, NFP councillors have been ruthlessly attacked and killed.
In July, Councillor Nonhlanhla Zungu survived two attempts on her life, which left her family members injured after being shot.
Weeks after her attack, Councillor Ntombenhle Mnchunu was shot and killed while asleep at home.
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In August, Councillor Mphathiseni Manqele was shot but survived the attack, and he is still in hospital recovering.
"The surge in councillor attacks and killing in the area has instilled fear not only among councillors, but the general public as well. This is a serious threat to stability, and the respect for law and criminals and alleged hired hitmen have imposed themselves and are becoming a law unto themselves," Mdletshe said.
He said that it is their view that imposing a curfew could go a long way in bringing about much-needed stability.
"It's a last resort because all other attempts and calls for the protection of our councillors have fallen on deaf ears. This is our cry for help. It's a desperate call," he said.
Mdletshe said as the organisation, they are well aware of the implications of their call.
"Nongoma is no longer safe for politicians in general but worse for our councillors. The overall picture of Nongoma paints a rural town experiencing huge social challenges. Such challenges are likely to breed criminals and criminality," he said.
Police Minister Bheki Cele and national commissioner General Fannie Masemola recently visited Nongoma, where they had an engagement with the local municipality regarding the rising of councillors' attacks.
"While we call for peace, I want to be clear that police will not hesitate to act on politicians who use violence and criminality to settle coalition disputes," said Cele.
