Chika murder: premier appeals for calm following MEC’s arrest

North West Premier Thandi Modise has appealed for calm following the arrest of local government MEC China Dodovu in connection with the murder of ANC regional secretary Obuti Chika.

Chika, former Dr Kenneth Kaunda ANC secretary, was shot dead outside his house in Klerksdorp on December 14, shortly before the ANC’s Mangaung conference.

“In appealing for calm, Premier Modise called on communities to allow the law to take its course for justice to be done for the Chika family to find closure to their tragic loss and end speculations as to who is/are responsible for his untimely death,” a statement reads.

The Hawks confirmed to City Press that Dodovu was arrested at his offices in Potchefstroom today on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

“[Dodovu] is being questioned by the Hawks as we speak and he will appear in court in the next 48 hours. We’ll request in court that he should join the seven other suspects in the case,” Ramoloko said.

“We’ve been talking to the suspects and many other people. It’s through putting those puzzles together that we got through to him,” he added.

The other accused are, Sapa reported: 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).

Finance MEC Paul Sebegoe will act as MEC for local government.

» This story was updated after first published to add comment from the Hawks.