Buffalo City Metro (BCM) politicians are living in fear after a third incidence of death threats was reported.
A case of intimidation is being investigated by police after property belonging to ward 41 councillor Tony Cyril Mtintsilana was torched.
Two vehicles at Mtintsilana’s Zwelitsha home and a backyard flat were set alight, causing damage of thousands of rands.
This incident happened on February 15, just two weeks after he received the first text message from a stranger, asking him to pay R20000 or he would be killed.
A series of text messages followed but Mtintsilana ignored them.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch at his Zwelitsha home, Mtintsilana said: “I don’t want to lie. This has taken its toll on my personal life and work. The last straw was when my house was torched, leaving my car and that of my tenant burnt out.
“This coward doesn’t even take my calls when I phone to find out what he wants.”
The day after the torching, Mtintsilana received another text message. “The person told me he was not joking.”
King Williams Town police spokeswoman Lieutenant Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed the matter had been transferred to the crime intelligence unit.
“We can confirm that the police are investigating an intimidation case after the councillor received numerous text messages,” said Mawisa.
Another case being investigated is malicious damage to property.”
BCM council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Mtintsilana joined BCM after the 2011 local government elections.
Last week the Dispatch reported that ANC BCM regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo had been threatened after he received text messages from a person who threatened to bomb his house and kill him and his family.
Mayor Zukiswa Ncitha has also received numerous text messages from a stranger who gave her an ultimatum to step down as mayor.
All the cases have been reported to the police.
Mtintsilana first received a text message on January 25 and since then the threats have been delivered every few days.
The person gave Mtintsilana two months to raise the money and tomorrow is the last day for him to pay “otherwise he will be killed”.
“… I am not sure if the person is following me or not because the person seems to know what I wear and what car I am driving.
“Wednesday is the last day as this person gave me two months to sort this thing, but I ignored him,” he said.
“… I am in fear and I can’t say if this is political or otherwise. I am waiting for investigators to finish.”
No arrests have been made. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Councillor’s car, flat set alight
A case of intimidation is being investigated by police after property belonging to ward 41 councillor Tony Cyril Mtintsilana was torched.
Two vehicles at Mtintsilana’s Zwelitsha home and a backyard flat were set alight, causing damage of thousands of rands.
This incident happened on February 15, just two weeks after he received the first text message from a stranger, asking him to pay R20000 or he would be killed.
A series of text messages followed but Mtintsilana ignored them.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch at his Zwelitsha home, Mtintsilana said: “I don’t want to lie. This has taken its toll on my personal life and work. The last straw was when my house was torched, leaving my car and that of my tenant burnt out.
“This coward doesn’t even take my calls when I phone to find out what he wants.”
The day after the torching, Mtintsilana received another text message. “The person told me he was not joking.”
King Williams Town police spokeswoman Lieutenant Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed the matter had been transferred to the crime intelligence unit.
“We can confirm that the police are investigating an intimidation case after the councillor received numerous text messages,” said Mawisa.
Another case being investigated is malicious damage to property.”
BCM council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Mtintsilana joined BCM after the 2011 local government elections.
Last week the Dispatch reported that ANC BCM regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo had been threatened after he received text messages from a person who threatened to bomb his house and kill him and his family.
Mayor Zukiswa Ncitha has also received numerous text messages from a stranger who gave her an ultimatum to step down as mayor.
All the cases have been reported to the police.
Mtintsilana first received a text message on January 25 and since then the threats have been delivered every few days.
The person gave Mtintsilana two months to raise the money and tomorrow is the last day for him to pay “otherwise he will be killed”.
“… I am not sure if the person is following me or not because the person seems to know what I wear and what car I am driving.
“Wednesday is the last day as this person gave me two months to sort this thing, but I ignored him,” he said.
“… I am in fear and I can’t say if this is political or otherwise. I am waiting for investigators to finish.”
No arrests have been made. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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