Zenzele Xhinela. Picture: X
An ANC councillor is currently finding himself on the wrong side of the law after allegedly pulling out a gun and threatening the lives of community members.
Zenzele Xhinela, an ANC ward councillor, is currently under police investigation after carelessly pointing a gun at the community of Ward 41 in the Rustenburg local municipality. According to reports by the news publication Citizen News, Zenzele recently visited the area for a meeting, where he was questioned on matters concerning poor service delivery.
It was further reported that the matter escalated when he failed to provide proper answers to some of the community’s concerns after the state of the neighbourhood had been regressing since his election.
Frustrated at those in attendance, it was reported that he then whipped out a pistol, fired a shot, returned to his vehicle, and drove off.
Zenzele Xhinela from Eastern Cape goes to shoot people in North West https://t.co/D0SBU3KlsR
— Xhosa Nostra (@Inako_Yolwa) April 7, 2025
The police, meanwhile, confirmed that they were investigating three charges of malicious damage to property, public violence, pointing a firearm and intimidation.
Meanwhile, Zenzele has not yet been arrested following the incident.
In conversation with Daily Sun, the ANC branch secretary Nolubabalo Siyongwana revealed that the firearm was licensed and that he was forced to fire warning shots considering the rise of tensions.
However, the residents refused to settle and accept this response. “What were the warning shots for? Who was the firearm aimed at? ...drawing a firearm at a community meeting was completely uncalled for,” argued one of the community members.
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