Klerksdorp - North West local government MEC China Dodovu has been arrested in connection with the murder of ANC regional secretary Obuti Chika, the provincial government said on Monday.
“He was arrested this morning (Monday),” said spokesman Lesiba Kgwele.
Dodovu is the eighth person to be arrested in connection with the crime.
The other accused are community member Jeffrey Letuka, 28, North West provincial ANC Youth League chairman Papiki Baboile, 27, ward secretary Paul Molomonyane, 33, councillor Itumeleng Molebatsi, 50, municipal worker William Malefo, 46, and taxi driver Kgotso Kali, 36.
Chika, 33, was shot at point-blank range in the driveway of his home in Alabama, Klerksdorp, on December 14. He died soon afterwards in the Klerksdorp Hospital.
He was the regional secretary of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district at the time.
Premier Thandi Modise appealed for calm after Dodovu's arrest, and urged people to allow the law to take its course.
“While we note the arrest and hope that justice will be done, we also believe that every suspect is innocent until proven guilty,” she said.
“It is on this basis that we support further and intensive investigation into the matter. We believe that MEC Dodovu will co-operate with the investigation.”
Finance MEC Paul Sebegoe will, in the meantime, take over the running of Dodovu's department. - Sapa