JOHANNESBURG – A Democratic Alliance (DA) ward councillor in the Northern Cape was found murdered in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Johannes Baadjies’s body was discovered in the morning in Postmasburg with gun wounds.
“Police can confirm that a case is being investigated in the murder of a 49-year-old man. A passenger he was travelling with sustained gun wounds and was taken to hospital. He is in a critical condition,” Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Mariam Mochologi-Maleeme.
There has been no arrests yet.
Mochologi-Maleeme said police are working around the clock in the investigation.
The DA in the province said it was shocked by the murder of Baadjies.
“It is suspected that his murder was politically motivated, as Baaitjies received death threats shortly after winning Ward 2 in Danielskuil on August 3rd 2016, successfully wrestling it away from the ANC,” said Andrew Louw, DA Northern Cape leader in a statement.
The party said two DA councillors, together with the two councillors from the Kgatelopele Community Forum would form a coalition government and take control of the municipality from the ANC.
The DA said it will contest the upcoming by-election for ward 2, which was won by Baadjies.
“The DA extends our heartfelt condolences to Baaitjies’ wife and three sons, as well as his extended family who he has sadly left behind. He will be sorely missed and it will not be easy finding someone of his capabilities to fill the gap that he has left,” said Louw.
