Political hit lists back in South Africa 20 years after apartheid ended, says candidate

 
Mamphela Ramphele speaks at a press conference where she was anounced as the Democratic Alliance(DA) Presidential candidate for the upcoming 2014 South African elections, on January 28, 2014, in Cape Town. South Africa's centrist opposition parties joined forces Tuesday to challenge the ruling ANC at upcoming elections, with black consciousness stalwart Mamphela Ramphele tapped as their presidential candidate. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) announced it would field Ramphele -- the partner of slain South African hero Steve Biko -- to face beleaguered incumbent president Jacob Zuma. AFP PHOTO / RODGER BOSCHRODGER BOSCH/AFP/Getty Images
21 February 2014

Political assassination hit lists are back in South Africa 20 years after the end of apartheid, according to a businesswoman taking on the African National Congress in elections this year.

Mamphela Ramphele, the former life partner of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko, this week accepted an invitation from main opposition party the Democratic Alliance to be its presidential candidate.

Speaking to the Standard on a visit to London, Dr Ramphele, 66, said: “They are already killing one another in ANC circles. People with information about corruption or who are a threat are being disappeared and killed just like they were under apartheid.

“A few weeks ago, the former chief of police, Bheki Cele, stood up at the funeral of top police officer [Sean Tshabalala] who was an ANC stalwart, and said: ‘I have had sight of a hit list, and at the top of that list is the man we are burying today, and so I warn those on that hit list that they are next’.”

Mr Tshabalala was found dead in his office at police HQ in Pretoria on December 24. Mr Cele, who was fired by President Jacob Zuma over allegations of corruption 18 months ago, has since handed the list to the minister of police, according to the South African press.

The Mail & Guardian reported that 15 of the 18 names on the alleged hit list were top police officers who once belonged to the ANC’s armed wing. Although Dr Ramphele was not on the list, she said: “For the first time in my life I have security. I believe that as the ANC feels threatened in terms of losing power, because so much is at stake, they will not stop at anything.” She added: “I am in no doubt that they can take me out, but I don’t spend five seconds before I fall asleep worrying about it.”

Dr Ramphele, a medical doctor and academic who had two children with Biko before his death in police custody in 1977, formed a political party, Agang, a year ago but struggled to raise funds.She joined the Democratic Alliance to bring about a “game-changing” moment for South Africa, she said.

Dr Ramphele, who has the backing of Desmond Tutu and was close to Nelson Mandela, claimed President Zuma was too tainted by allegations of personal corruption to tackle graft. The election must be held between April and July, but a date has yet to be set.

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