DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — A disturbing surge in KwaZulu-Natal political killings has sparked widespread alarm following the assassination of two IFP councillor candidates in separate, targeted attacks within the province. The brutal incidents have prompted urgent calls for the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the specialized Political Killing Task Team (PKTT) to intervene and prioritize these investigations.
The latest wave of violence claimed the life of Lucky Sokhela, the IFP’s elected Ward 8 councillor candidate for the uMshwathi Local Municipality. Sokhela was gunned down in a brazen, targeted hit just steps from his home. According to reports, his killers followed him and opened fire as he was about to park his vehicle, carrying out the attack in front of his helpless family members.
This tragedy occurred just days after the shooting of Khethelo Mdluli, the IFP’s Ward 17 candidate under the uMlalazi Local Municipality, who was shot multiple times in front of his children.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a relative of Sokhela described him as deeply devoted to both his family and the party. “What we want is peace because we are a peaceful family. We don’t like violence,” the relative stated, expressing profound shock that the incident occurred in front of young children and other adults. The family emphasized an urgent need for peace and protection, fearing further reprisals.
Local party leadership acknowledged that the incidents have severely dampened the campaigning mood and raised critical safety concerns. “We’re appealing to the police to investigate this case. It’s unbelievable that a car can enter a home in broad daylight and kill someone,” a local leader said. Despite the fear, the leadership vowed resilience, adding, “Nevertheless, it’s our responsibility as leaders to encourage our comrades who may be afraid. Losing one of us cannot be the end of us. We must soldier on.”
These targeted attacks unfold against a backdrop of escalating political tension in the region. They occurred just a month after the murder of ANC ward councillor Sbusiso “Khekhe” Khwela in Klaarwater, near Durban. Furthermore, the MK Party has reported losing more than 10 members since June who were slated to run for councillor positions.
While the exact motives for these coordinated attacks remain unclear, the IFP has firmly urged SAPS to treat these cases as an absolute priority. IFP National Spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa has officially condemned the violence and called for the immediate deployment of the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killing Task Team to lead the investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice.
