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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called on the Public Protector to investigate former president Jacob Zuma and North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo on allegations that the premier gave Zuma a herd of cattle worth R1.5m as a gift in 2016 using public funds.

The Hawks on Sunday confirmed that an investigation into the allegations was underway.

“Both Mahumapelo and Zuma must be investigated and if found guilty they must not only pay back the money, they must be criminally held liable for abuse of state funds,” said EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

“It is not possible that Zuma can claim that he wrongly benefited from state money without any knowledge as it was the case with the Nkandla homestead security upgrades.”

The party has also called for Supra Mahumapelo to step down as premier of the North West.

“Mahumapelo has not only failed to drive the state machinery to deliver services, he has been part of crippling corruption.”

The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) has also expressed its support for an investigation into the matter.

“The Hawks investigation into the alleged involvement of Mahumapelo including whether Zuma had in his declaration of interests declared the cows as a gift from the North West provincial government must be expedited and criminal charges instituted against them if irregularities are uncovered,” Sanco provincial chairperson Paul Sebegoe said.

Sanco has also encouraged the dismissal of MEC for Rural, Environment and Agriculture Development Manketse Tlape for his role in the alleged corruption.

“The special investigation unit must jointly with the Offices of the Auditor-General and the Public Protector probe the rural, environment and agricultural development programmes for irregularities and any other improprieties including the whereabouts of the other 25 cows that remain unaccounted for,” Sebegoe said.

He said if the premier is not involved in the corruption levelled against him and his administration, the least he can do as the head of government is to accept responsibility that they occurred under his watch.

Mahumpelo faced a difficult week after residents of Mahikeng, North West engaged in violent protests on Wednesday to demand his resignation.

The province’s capital finally reached a state of calm after President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed residents on Friday.

POLOKWANE – Limpopo police commissioner Lt-Gen Nneke Ledwaba on Sunday condemned the violent protest which erupted in the Waterval policing area after two people were killed during an armed robbery.

Two people died during a house robbery at Bungeni Basani village in the Waterval area outside Makhado at about 8.30pm on Saturday night, Lt-Col Moatshe Ngoepe said.

It was alleged that a 43-year-old woman was at her homestead together with her children when they were attacked by three unknown armed suspects. The men demanded money and cellphones. However, before the victims could respond, the assailants started shooting randomly, wounding the woman and her 19 and 21-year-old sons. Her 25-year-old daughter died instantly. The woman and her two sons were taken to hospital for medical treatment, Ngoepe said.

“During the scuffle, one of the suspects was also shot… allegedly by his accomplices before they fled the scene and disappeared in the darkness after they robbed the victims [of] their three cellphones.”

Police were notified and reacted swiftly, finding “this suspect lying dead a distance away from the victims’ house”. The three stolen cellphones and R1200 in cash were found in his possession. Cases of murder, attempted murder, and house robbery were opened. The three wounded victims were recuperating in the hospital with serious gunshot wounds, Ngoepe said.

“Responding to the incident, members of the community at Basani Mtsetweni and the surrounding villages went on [the] rampage and barricaded the roads between Diza and Mashau villages with various objects.”

Ledwaba warned members of the community to keep calm and refrain from any form of violence, including damage to property. They should give police space to investigate and deal with the incident.

“The deceased suspect is still unknown and his accomplices are still on the run and there is no arrest. Anyone who can assist the police in arresting these suspects may contact the crime stop number 08600-10111 or the crime line SMS 32211 or the nearest police station,” Ngoepe said.

African News Agency

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – A man who was naked but for a green jacket shot and killed at least four people before a patron snatched his gun and tossed it over the counter at a Waffle House restaurant near Nashville, Tennessee early Sunday, police said.

The gunman, armed with what was described as an AR-15 assault-type rifle, shot and killed two people in the parking lot of the restaurant in Antioch, a section of southeast Nashville, shortly before 3:30 a.m. (0830 GMT).

He then entered the restaurant and opened fire on patrons, police said, killing one and wounding another, who later died.

One diner who had hidden near the restrooms dashed out and pulled the rifle from the gunman.

“The shots had stopped so he decided to rush the gunman, actually wrestled that assault rifle away, tossed it over the counter and, at that point, the gunman fled,” police spokesman Don Aaron said.

The 29-year-old “hero” likely saved many more lives, Aaron said.

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The gunman’s vehicle was registered to Travis Reinking, 29, of Morton, Illinois, who police identified as a person of interest in the shooting. A search was underway for Reinking, who police believe had been living in a nearby apartment. Police said a shirtless man wearing pants believed to be Reinking was spotted in nearby woods.

Police initially reported three dead and four injured but updated this to say a total of six people were shot. Three of those died at the scene, and one wounded person died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The two injured remain at the hospital and Vanderbilt Medical Center spokeswoman Jennifer Wetzel said one was in critical condition and the other was in critical but stable condition.

Police told CNN the gunman shed his jacket before fleeing on foot. It was unclear if he had another weapon. Local media reported a second shooting nearby might be connected to the Waffle House incident.

Police cautioned that the man is to be considered still armed and extremely dangerous.

The man who disarmed the shooter suffered non-life-threatening wounds, including an injured elbow, police said, and some patrons suffered facial wounds from shattered glass.

Reuters