In brief
An organiser of the opposition uMkhonto weSizwe Party, Lastborn Shazi, was killed in KwaZulu‑Natal on Monday night. Police have opened a murder investigation while the country prepares for municipal elections amid rising political violence. Authorities have deployed military troops and identified high‑risk polling stations as the campaign enters a tense phase.
On Monday night, Lastborn Shazi, a coordinator for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, was shot dead in his home in KwaZulu‑Natal just before the country’s municipal elections were set to begin on Wednesday.
Police opened a murder investigation after Shazi was killed while on a Zoom call coordinating the party’s campaign. Senior police spokesman Robert Netshiunda said the motive is under review and that the incident adds to a spike in political killings during the election period.
The victim, identified by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, was part of a campaign that, according to recent polls, could become the largest force in the eThekwini metropolitan area and challenge the governing African National Congress.
South African police have recorded 20 murders involving political representatives, party members and supporters since the start of the municipal election period. In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the deployment of more than 500 soldiers to the province to support police, who have earmarked 165 polling stations as high‑risk.
Voters will elect councillors on Wednesday, who will subsequently elect mayors responsible for municipal services such as water and waste management.
