A senior leader of the ANC in the KwaDukuza sub-region in KwaZulu-Natal is in custody after he allegedly injured his wife by striking her with a hammer following a domestic dispute on Tuesday this week.
Mlekeleli Gcabashe, a former sub-regional secretary of the ANC in KwaDukuza, was then subjected to mob justice by the community before police arrested him.
Couple employed by same municipality
According to eyewitnesses, Gcabashe, who is now a manager in the disaster department of KwaDukuza local municipality, lost his cool and used a hammer to hit his wife (Sinethemba) and badly injured her.
“Everyone was shocked as the incident happened in town and in full view of the public. Some people decided to take the law into their own hands and assaulted him. He was saved by the arrival of the police. They nearly killed him,” one eyewitness told Sunday World.
It is not clear what started the dispute. Gcabashe and his wife, whom he married in a glittering wedding in December 2022 in Ballito, are both employees of the KwaDukuza local municipality.
Police in KwaZulu-Natal confirmed the incident and the version of the eyewitnesses.
Cops probing attempted murder
“Police in KwaDukuza have arrested a man for attempted murder following an incident in which a woman was allegedly assaulted with a hammer by a suspect known to her. She sustained head injuries and was conveyed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
“The incident occurred on 15 July 2025 on King Shaka Street. The suspect was allegedly assaulted by community members. And he was also conveyed to a nearby hospital for medical attention,” said Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the mouthpiece of the police.
ANC regional task team coordinator Nkosenhle Mngadi said they are aware of the allegations. He said they will seek answers from Gcabashe.
“The ANC holds firm the principle that all its members, regardless of position or standing, must always uphold the values of dignity, respect and protection of human rights. Especially the rights of women and children. As such, any act or alleged act of violence against women is not only unacceptable but also inconsistent with the values and
discipline of the ANC.
ANC condemns incident
“In line with our internal processes, the Regional Task Team will seek to receive a preliminary report on the matter. We will also engage with relevant structures, including the ANC KwaDukuza Sub-Region, to ensure that due process is followed. [This will be done] without undermining the rights of the affected parties,” Mngadi said.
