GOOD Statement by Robin Hendrikse, GOOD Stellenbosch Municipality Councillors:
The picturesque town of Stellenbosch has become the backdrop to a deeply disturbing political saga marked by violence, fear, and loss. Today, the trial of those accused of orchestrating the 2019 murder of former DA Deputy Mayor Cameron Mcako is set to continue in the Western Cape High Court. This, despite the recent and shocking murder of one of the accused, former DA Deputy Mayor Nyaniso Jindela, who was gunned down in Kayamandi on the evening of 9 June.
Jindela’s wife and three others stand accused of plotting Mcako’s assassination. While the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” must be respected, the brazen assassination of Jindela, while facing trial in such a high-profile political murder case, raises serious and troubling questions.
The roots of this political crisis run deeper. In August 2019, land activist and local politician Midas Wanana was shot dead outside his home in Kayamandi after organising a protest against Mcako.
These intersecting killings, Mcako, Wanana, and now Jindela, paint a picture of a municipality gripped by lawlessness and power struggles with deadly consequences.
As South Africa prepares for the 2026 local elections, it is imperative that the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority act with urgency, integrity, and independence. Upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is not only essential for securing convictions, it is vital for restoring public confidence in our democracy.
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