Mayor who survived hit attempt still resolute

A WOMAN who survived an assassination attempt for fighting corruption has been awarded the mayoral chain of Umzimkhulu Municipality and is prepared to remain principled despite the danger.

Jabulile Msiya, 48, was elected as the mayor of the politically volatile municipality in the south of Kwazulu-natal.

Msiya, who had served as a ward councillor, executive committee member and speaker of the same municipality, survived an assassination attempt in 2017 when former ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa was killed.

Msiya and fellow councillor Nonstikelelo Mafa were in the back seat of Magaqa’s car when it was sprayed with bullets.

Msiya and Mafa sustained gunshot wounds to their legs. They recovered in hospital while Magaqa succumbed to his gunshot wounds weeks later. Mafa was left paralysed.

Msiya and Magaqa were exco members at the time, and had been at a finance and planning committee meeting at the time of the attack.

Msiya said the assailants approached them after they had a meeting. She was adamant that their attack was politically motivated.

Msiya, a mother of four and qualified teacher, said she would not be deterred by the attempted assassination, adding that she would remain principled to uplift the rural area.

She entered politics while she was a university student and rose through the ranks as a union member and later a ward councillor.

While she confirmed that many issues led to the infamous attack, she would not divulge the finer details, saying the matter was still sub judice.

However, she revealed that questioning matters relating to municipal projects and finances could be the motive.

Five people were arrested for Magaqa’s murder, but the trial has not yet started.

“Before we were attacked, two councillors had been killed in Umzimkhulu, so we suspected that something could happen to any of us.

“We made a promise among each other, with the late Magaqa, that should one of us get killed, whoever is left should take the baton and run.

“The shooting took about two minutes. They were sure no one would come out of that car alive. I prayed quietly as shots were fired. No one screamed and they thought they finished all of us. The fact that my comrade (Magaqa) died for being principled motivates me,” said Msiya.

As the incumbent mayor with vast experience in local government, Msiya said she would prioritise clean governance which would translate to proper service delivery.

She said they would strengthen the audit committee and municipal public account committee to ensure they received a clean audit.

“My role is to provide oversight and engage people on what they want. Public participation is key. People must know what we could do and what not.

“We want to keep our town clean and safe so we can attract investors. We would not tolerate corruption. As a mayor I went through the interview process of my organisation and I pledged to run a clean government.

“I remain fearless and I’m determined to honour my late comrade by doing what we believed in,” she said.

Regarding her safety, Msiya was satisfied with the measures that had been put in place and she was able to go wherever she wanted.

As a mother, she said her children understood politics and the danger associated with it.

“My elder children are also active young members in politics. It has been tough for them but they understand and they have joined me in lower ranks.”