Two members of South Africa’s African National Congress have been shot dead while campaigning for local government elections in KwaZulu-Natal, raising fresh concerns about political violence ahead of the November 4 polls, according to police and local reporting.
The victims, a man and a woman, were killed on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in the Umgababa area, approximately 35 kilometres south of Durban. Police said the pair were taking part in a door-to-door campaign when gunmen travelling in a vehicle opened fire on the group.
According to police, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Another woman reportedly injured her leg while attempting to flee the attack. Authorities said the motive for the shooting remained unknown, although political intolerance had not been ruled out.
Ambush during door-to-door campaign
An ANC representative told local media that the victims had been ambushed and shot at as they emerged from one of the households they had visited during their campaign. The attack has intensified concerns about the safety of political activists as parties prepare for the upcoming local government elections.
The vote is expected to provide an important measure of support for the ANC, which remains the largest party in South Africa’s national coalition government. Local elections test party strength in municipalities, where control of councils shapes services, budgets and jobs.
KwaZulu-Natal has a long history of political violence, and campaign periods have often brought heightened tension between rival parties and within parties themselves. Police investigations into political killings in the province are closely watched, because they test whether campaigning can proceed freely.
A pattern of violence before the vote
The Umgababa shooting occurred just days after four ANC youth activists were killed in a separate attack near Johannesburg on Tuesday, October 13. That incident has also drawn attention to the risks faced by political campaigners, and authorities assigned its investigation to a specialised police unit responsible for investigating political killings.
The latest killings add to concerns about a broader pattern of politically linked violence in the country, particularly as campaigning intensifies before the elections. Party leaders and civil society groups have repeatedly called for tolerance and for security agencies to protect campaigners of all parties.
With less than three weeks between the Umgababa attack and polling day, the focus now falls on police protection for campaign events, swift arrests, and a clear message from party leadership that violence has no place in democratic competition. Voters, officials say, must be able to choose freely, without fear.
