Opposition figure Lastborn Shazi was shot and killed while participating in a campaign coordination call on Zoom ahead of Wednesday's local polls. The killing contributes to a tally of 20 politically motivated murders recorded by police throughout this municipal election cycle. In response to the unrest, authorities have classified over 165 polling locations as high-risk environments. More than 500 soldiers have been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal to assist law enforcement during the vote.
Key points
Political violence has intensified across the region with police recording 20 murders of…: Political violence has intensified across the region with police recording 20 murders of party members, representatives, and supporters.
The local elections will determine municipal councillors tasked with selecting mayors to…: The local elections will determine municipal councillors tasked with selecting mayors to manage vital services like water and sanitation.
Former President Jacob Zuma's MKP is polling to become the leading party in the eThekwini…: Former President Jacob Zuma's MKP is polling to become the leading party in the eThekwini metropolitan area, threatening ANC dominance.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Police are investigating the motive in murder of MKP coordinator as political killings rise during municipal elections.
An organiser from an opposition party has been killed in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, raising concerns about political violence before Wednesday’s local government elections.
Senior police spokesman Robert Netshiunda said on Tuesday that a murder investigation had been opened after Lastborn Shazi – identified by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) – was shot dead late on Monday at his home while on a Zoom call coordinating the party’s election campaign.
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Police are investigating the motive, Netshiunda said.
South African police said last weekend that 20 murders involving political representatives, party members and supporters had been recorded during the municipal election period.
Last week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the deployment of more than 500 soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal to…
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