ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula paid an emotional visit today to the home of Keletile “Kelly” Mathatha, a young party staffer who was tragically killed in a late-night shooting outside a pub in Hebron, North West province on Monday.
A visibly distraught Mbalula visited the Mathatha family home to pay his respects after the party was plunged into mourning ahead of their May 29 contest.
“Today the ANC Secretary-General, Comrade Fikile Mbalula, visited the Mathatha family in paying tribute to their fearless young woman and leader, Keletile ‘Kelly’ Mathatha, who dedicated her life to fight for justice for all,” the ANC announced.
“This is, indeed, a very sad day for their family and the ANC. This day should be used to remember her remarkable life, and to honour her legacy by fighting for the mass proliferation of guns and violence in our nation. The ANC extends its deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, comrades and friends.”
Mathatha, who worked in the office of ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, lost her life when gunmen opened fire on the vehicle she was in as she left the Molewa Pub and Grill in the early hours of Monday morning. One other person was killed and three more injured in the brazen attack.
Mbalula earlier took to X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday night and wrote: “I am hurt today. They killed my daughter. I am hurt.”
He later wrote: “This is my daughter working in my office. Kelly was working in my office in the secretary-general’s office; she was killed today.”
When contacted for comment, Mbalula said Mathatha worked as a membership officer at Luthuli House, the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg.
North West police have launched a manhunt for the suspects, who fled the scene in a white Mercedes-Benz after the shooting. Authorities are investigating two counts of murder and three of attempted murder.
While a motive is not yet known, the calculated nature of the hit has led to speculation it may have been politically motivated. However, police cautioned against premature conclusions.
As the ANC mourned the tragic loss, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum for the young staffer who lost her life in the line of public service.
