Opposition party organiser killed before South Africa elections
News Source
β’Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:39:00 +0000
π° What Happened
An organiser for South Africa's uMkhonto weSizwe Party was shot dead at his home on Monday night. Lastborn Shazi was on a Zoom call, helping run the party's election campaign, when he was killed.
Police in KwaZulu-Natal have opened a murder case. They say they do not yet know the motive. The killing came the night before Wednesday's local elections.
Police said 20 murders linked to parties and their supporters had been recorded during this election period. President Cyril Ramaphosa sent more than 500 soldiers to the province.
π The Backstory
The MK party was launched in 2023 by former president Jacob Zuma. It draws strong support in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma's home province.
South Africa has a long history of political violence, especially in KwaZulu-Natal. Clashes between rival supporters have killed people in past elections.
In these local elections, voters choose councillors, and the councillors then choose mayors. Police have marked more than 165 polling stations as high risk.
π― Why It Matters
Violence can frighten people away from voting. That can change who wins close local races and who runs local services.
An organiser for South Africa's uMkhonto weSizwe Party was shot dead at his home on Monday night. Lastborn Shazi was on a Zoom call, helping run the party's election campaign, when he was killed.
Police in KwaZulu-Natal have opened a murder case. They say they do not yet know the motive. The killing came the night before Wednesday's local elections.
Police said 20 murders linked to parties and their supporters had been recorded during this election period. President Cyril Ramaphosa sent more than 500 soldiers to the province.
The MK party was launched in 2023 by former president Jacob Zuma. It draws strong support in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma's home province.
South Africa has a long history of political violence, especially in KwaZulu-Natal. Clashes between rival supporters have killed people in past elections.
In these local elections, voters choose councillors, and the councillors then choose mayors. Police have marked more than 165 polling stations as high risk.
Violence can frighten people away from voting. That can change who wins close local races and who runs local services.