This statement was released by Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Benson Fihla, on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and its Councillors, after the coldblooded murder of Mayoral Committee member Buyisile Mkavu (41).
It is with great sadness that we received the horrific news that Comrade Buyisile Mkavu, a young, dynamic and vibrant politician, met his untimely demise when he was coldheartedly gunned down last night. Our hearts bleed as he paid a visit to the house of another fallen comrade Manelisi Vumazonke – who was laid to rest in Uitenhage today – before his life was ruthlessly cut short and now the voice of a visionary and hardworking executive committee member is forever still.
We share the pain of his wife Limise, his friends, family, colleagues and the broader Nelson Mandela Bay populace. We are sorry for your loss and pray that God’s rest healing hand will mend the pain of Comrade Mkavu’s shocking death.
Mkavu (41) easily went beyond the call of duty by trying to facilitate cordial relations with the community and recently went as far as to lead negotiations with the Chatty community when violence spread due to unhappiness with the progress at an Eastern Cape Provincial Department Human Settlements project.
He spearheaded the acquisition of land for the Walmer Gqebera community and other pockets of land across Nelson Mandela Bay shortly after being installed as a Mayoral Committee member in March 2013. Prior to ascending to the Mayoral Committee, Mkavu became one of the young leaders that catapulted to prominence after the May 2011 elections and served as a Whip for the Human Settlements Committee shortly after becoming a politician for the first time.
He also spearheaded the inclusion of developments in Despatch and Uitenhage to ensure that more projects are included in the 7-year housing turnaround strategy and strongly believed in improving communication channels with the community.
The legacy of Comrade Mkavu is intact as the housing delivery programme of our municipality received a major boost due his hard work and leadership.
I call on the South African Police Services to bring the culprit or culprits to book as this is not the first time that Councillor Mkavu was at the receiving end of callous criminals. His Uitenhage house was set alight and his car was damaged during widespread attacks on councillors in the city.
Mkavu stood firm and was willing to risk his life for the cause to lead a department that is responsive to the needs of people.
He had three public participation sessions with Nelson Mandela Bay churches earlier this year and planned to go back this month to report back to the church leadership on how the municipality can assist them with formalizing the many illegal structures that serve as places of worship in our townships.
Mkavu was molded as a young leader in the ANC Youth League before his important role in the ANC.
Prior to him being chosen to lead as a Nelson Mandela Bay politician, Mkavu was a Traffic Officer and served in this capacity as a member of the Task Team that led to the formation of the Metropolitan Police Force.
Nelson Mandela Bay lost a man of integrity, strength and compassion. May his soul rest in peace.
N. B. Fihla
Executive Mayor
NMB Communications
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