Times Of Swaziland: GALAJANE STRANGLED TO DEATH

GALAJANE STRANGLED TO DEATH
================================================================================
BY JOSEPH ZULU on 17/05/2018 09:00:00


MHLANGATANE – As the 2018 parliamentary elections hype intensifies, a popular
Galajane, Star Lukhele, has been strangled to death.
The name ‘Galajane’ is used to refer to a campaign manager and it is also a
lucrative position as it is known to come with benefits, including cash.
Campaign managers are responsible for wooing voters to a specific candidate and
sometimes are known to use unconventional methods such as character
assassinating the opponent or even buying out rival supporters. Lukhele is said
to have been aged between 50 and 55, and has been described as a popular
humorous campaign manager. His life was allegedly cut short at around midnight
yesterday. The alleged murder incident is said to have happened at an area known
as Ziwile under Mhlangatane Inkhundla. Lukhele’s last call for help,
inyandzaleyo, was heard by many within the community but they feared leaving
their houses due to the high rate of violence in the area.
It is alleged Lukhele was with someone whose name is known but will not be
revealed for ethical reasons. After consuming some alcohol, they allegedly left
the watering hole but because Lukhele lived across the river, he decided that he
would spend a night at a friend’s home. Lukhele, however, did not make it to
that friend’s house but was allegedly strangled to death. His cousin, Elliot
Dlamini, who is also a respectable resident as he is part of the local inner
council, confirmed the death. Dlamini described Lukhele as someone who was
always jovial and that he was allegedly the campaign manager of Mbalekelwa
Ndwandwe, who is the current Member of Parliament (MP). He said Lukhele had been
a vocal supporter of Ndwandwe during the 2013 parliamentary elections.
“He never kept it a secret that he was campaigning for the current MP to be
re-elected,” said Dlamini. Dlamini also said lately, Lukhele had indicated his
intensions to support the current MP and that he did not keep this a secret.
Upon discovering Lukhele’s lifeless body, Dlamini said they checked him to
ensure that no parts were missing. He said it appeared Lukhele had been
strangled because he had what appeared like bruises on his neck. Though Lukhele
is said to have been drinking with his alleged killer, Dlamini did not rule out
the possibility that the duo argued over elections. Nqaba Sifundza, a very close
friend to Lukhele, also said the killing happened a few metres from his house.
“I was with my wife in the house at the time and we heard some noises,” said
Sifundza. He said he heard someone calling for help and asking why he was being
killed. “Ngibulawelani?” Lukhele is said to have shouted as he was allegedly
being strangled.