On Thursday afternoon (15 October 2026), a group of ANC members was conducting door-to-door election campaigning in Ward 98 when they were attacked. According to police and news reports:
- The victims included Lungani Makhathini, the ANC Ward 98 election coordinator, and a campaign volunteer identified in some coverage as Nokuthula Mavundla (linked to the ANC Youth League or Women’s League).
- They formed part of a small group (reports describe roughly five people: three party members plus two bodyguards).
- Unidentified gunmen in a white Isuzu bakkie approached from behind and opened fire.
- Two people were killed. Reports vary slightly on the wounded: one woman sustained a leg injury while fleeing, while other accounts state three campaign volunteers were wounded and in critical condition.
- The two bodyguards fled the scene; their whereabouts were initially unconfirmed.
- Police opened cases of murder and attempted murder. The motive remains under investigation.
Ntuli described the incident as a tragedy, offered condolences to the families and the ANC, and called for the perpetrators to face the full force of the law. The ANC’s head of elections, Mdumiseni Ntuli, also condemned the killings, appealed for community information to assist investigators, and noted that political violence is disrupting campaigning in some areas. He urged leadership to engage communities so that democratic processes are not undermined by intimidation.
Broader context in KwaZulu-Natal
Political killings and targeted shootings have long been a serious problem in KZN, particularly around election periods. The province has a history of violence linked to inter- and intra-party rivalries, local power struggles, taxi industry conflicts, and organised crime. Local government elections (LGE 2026) appear to be heightening tensions, with campaign activities becoming flashpoints in certain wards.
Ntuli, as Premier and the executive authority responsible for community safety and liaison, has repeatedly spoken out against violent crime, mass shootings, and attacks on police and civilians. This latest call fits a pattern of public condemnations and demands for swift police action following high-profile incidents. At the same time, critics and opposition voices often highlight ongoing challenges with detection rates, resource constraints in policing, and the difficulty of securing convictions in politically sensitive cases.
The attack also occurs against a backdrop of elevated overall violent crime in parts of eThekwini and the south coast, where communities frequently report concerns about illegal firearms, gang activity, and insufficient visible policing. Door-to-door campaigning, which requires volunteers to move through neighbourhoods, inherently increases exposure in contested or high-risk areas.
Current status
As of the latest available reports (16 October 2026), police were investigating the circumstances and searching for the suspects. No arrests had been publicly confirmed in connection with this specific shooting at the time of the Premier’s statement. The ANC has encouraged residents of Ward 98 to come forward with information.
This incident underscores the persistent risks faced by political activists and ordinary campaign workers in parts of KZN. Effective resolution will depend on rapid investigative work, community cooperation, and consistent application of the law regardless of the political affiliation of the victims.
All the other people that were murdered can wait for justice it seems
