The founders of the Thathazonke Anti-Crime Unit in Ekurhuleni have accused regional chairperson of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Nkululeko Dunga, of refusing to pay them a R45 000 reward for their role in helping the police arrest the two men accused of killing EFF member and councillor Koketso Mojatau in 2023.
In April last year, Mojatau and his friend, Siboniso Sokhele, were brutally murdered in the East Rand following a hijacking incident.
Three months later in July, two men who were accused of his murder, were found guilty and convicted by the Johannesburg High Court.
They were found guilty on two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Mahuse, 28, and Ntshumayelo, 29, were found guilty of a series of violent crimes committed between January and April last year.
At the time of his death, Dunga had promised to pay R45 000 reward to anyone who could help track down the alleged killers, Simon Mahuse, 28, and his accomplice, Frans Ntshumayelo, 29, who were apprehended by the police following a tip from community members.
Speaking to The Star on Wednesday, secretary-general of the Thathazonke Anti Crime Unit, Lehlohonolo Futhwa, said Dunga – who promised to pay a reward of R45 000 to anyone who will assist with information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects who killed the EFF member – had failed to pay them.
“We are the anti-crime group that went out and gathered the information and went on to help with the arrest and one of our members even went on to kill one of the suspects during the shoot-out.
“We have to challenge now (after) the EFF made a U-turn claiming that it had paid the reward the very same night of the arrest; and it paid it to some EFF-linked individuals. This is not what Dunga promised when he spoke; we think that they don't want to pay,“ said Futhwa.
In a letter dated July 23, 2024, which is addressed to Dunga’s office, Futhwa reveals that their requests for payment of the reward have been ignored for months on end.
“Dear Mr Dunga, I am writing this letter as mandated by the executive committee of Ekurhuleni Thatha Zonke Anti-Crime Unit. At the time of writing this letter, we had just received the good news that the NPA, working together with the police and EPMD, have successfully managed to secure a guilty verdict in the murder case of the late Mr Koketso Mojatau who was a devoted member of the EFF.
“The role played by Thathazonke Anti-Crime Unit is well documented and it is no secret to the leadership of the EFF. It is for this reason that we officially claim the reward for the arrest and the successful prosecution of the two suspects who were found guilty of the murder of Mr Mojatau,” he says.
Attempts by The Star to get comment from the former Ekurhuleni finance MEC, Dunga, proved unsuccessful at the time of going to print. He indicated on Wednesday that he was in a council meeting and on Thursday morning said he would respond via WhatsApp text.
“I am going to respond to you via text just now now,” he said.
The Star