The politicians and candidates who were killed before November 4 elections - IOL

Metsimaholo Caucus Leader, Michael Thulani Mbana was shot and killed on Monday evening.

As South Africa approaches the highly contested local government elections on November 4, 2026, political violence and targeted hits have spiked. 

According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), at least 43 political assassinations have been recorded between January and late October 2026. 

Earlier this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the killing of councillors and candidates ahead of the November 4 local government elections, warning that political violence threatens South Africa’s democracy and calling on police to arrest and prosecute those responsible.

Ramaphosa was speaking while doing door-to-door campaigning in eMaGabheni, KwaZulu-Natal. Ramaphosa said the killings undermined the country’s democratic institutions and the right of South Africans to choose their political representatives.

“Those who are killing councillors, those who are killing candidates are really seeking to destroy the efficacy of our democracy,” he said.

Ramaphosa said he had called on police to pursue those responsible for the killings and ensure they faced prosecution.

“We condemn the killing of councillor candidates, whether serving or prospective, in the strongest terms. And that is why I’ve called on the police to pursue those who are responsible for these murders, catch them, have them prosecuted,” he said.