Irvin Jim from the National Union of Metalworkers of SA was followed after attending the South African Communist Party’s conference in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday night, in what some leaders suggest may have been an assassination attempt, reported Radio 702.
He was on his way back to Richard’s Bay from the conference when his bodyguard noticed a suspicious BMW following them.
The car was driving aggressively and following him down roads that led to his hotel.
It is understood his bodyguards were able to get him away from the car.
Eventually, his bodyguards were able to confront the men in the car, who were heavily armed.
They claimed they were police officers but the police say their badges were false and that the number plates on the car were from another civilian vehicle.
Jim said he took precautions when he came to KwaZulu-Natal because he had been warned that politically active people need to be careful in the province.
SACP General Secretary Blade Nzimande reacted with shock to news of the possible assassination attempt on Jim.
He said he planned to look into the matter.
“I got a SMS, telling me about that story. I don’t have details and I don’t know what is happening. We are going to be checking on what is happening as soon as we reach the congress venue,” he said.
