PRETORIA, South Africa — The upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE 2026) in South Africa are being overshadowed by a deadly surge in political killings driven by intense rivalries over municipal resources, according to Corruption Watch Executive Director Lebogang Ramafoko. The anti-corruption organization’s chief issued the stark warning following the brutal assassinations of two local politicians, highlighting a dangerous shift in the country’s electoral landscape.
Violence Erupts During Voter Registration
The bloodshed erupted on the very first day of the nation’s final voter registration weekend ahead of the November elections. Within a span of just 50 minutes, two political representatives from opposing parties—ANC councillor Sicelo Mleve and DA ward candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe—were fatally attacked.
Notably, neither politician was actively campaigning at the time of their deaths; both were engaged in grassroots efforts to encourage young citizens to register to vote. The proximity and timing of the murders have sent shockwaves through the nation, bringing local government political violence back into the spotlight and prompting analysts to re-evaluate the deadly stakes of municipal contests.
Beyond Ideology: The Battle for Tenders and Power
Addressing the tragedies, Ramafoko extended his deepest condolences to the grieving families of Mleve and Dyokwe. While he stopped short of declaring that South Africa’s democracy is under existential threat, he emphasized that the murders expose deeply troubling trends in how political power is contested.
According to the Corruption Watch chief, the current wave of violence is rarely rooted in political ideology. If ideological differences were the primary driver, he argued, the country would see robust public debates allowing communities to make informed choices. Instead, the killings are fundamentally about silencing opposition and spreading fear to maintain control over lucrative municipal assets.
“When people kill each other, it is about silencing,” Ramafoko explained, noting that the violence is a calculated tool to exert power and secure proximity to municipal tenders and resources.
The High Stakes of Local Governance
The local government sphere remains a highly volatile arena because it serves as the primary level for tender allocation and direct resource management. Ramafoko pointed out that municipal positions are increasingly viewed as strategic stepping stones to provincial and national leadership. Consequently, securing a local seat is often pursued not merely to serve the public, but to gain a foothold in powerful networks that control significant financial assets.
Furthermore, Ramafoko cautioned that the bloodshed could also be fueled by internal factionalism. He noted that infighting within political parties cannot be ruled out, as rival factions battle for dominance and view colleagues—even within their own ranks—as threats to their access to power. This dynamic raises critical questions about the internal culture of political parties and their commitment to fostering ethical leadership and tolerance.
A Toxic Electoral Climate
The decision to execute these murders during a voter registration drive was highly deliberate, Ramafoko observed. He described the assassinations as a terrifying message directed at the broader community, warning supporters of the victims that their lives could also be in jeopardy if they resist those orchestrating the violence.
This climate of fear is further exacerbated by broader societal fractures. Ramafoko highlighted that South Africa is currently grappling with significant polarization, particularly concerning contentious issues such as migration. He warned that these underlying societal tensions threaten to make the run-up to the LGE 2026 highly toxic.
In light of these compounding threats, Ramafoko issued a direct challenge to the state’s security apparatus. He stressed that South Africa’s intelligence and police services must be fully equipped and proactive to dismantle the networks behind these assassinations, ensuring that the deadly tactic of silencing opponents does not derail the democratic process.