Opposition party organiser killed before South Africa elections

Lastborn Shazi, a regional organiser for South Africa’s opposition uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), was shot dead at his home in Umzumbe, KwaZulu-Natal, late on Monday, 2 November. The party said he was taking part in an online meeting to coordinate its election campaign when the attack happened. Police have opened a murder investigation and say the motive remains unknown. No link between the killing and Shazi’s political work has been established.

His death came two days before the 4 November local government elections, amid concern about violence involving political figures. Police said they had recorded 20 murders involving political representatives, party members and supporters during the municipal election period. More than 500 soldiers were ordered to support police in KwaZulu-Natal, where authorities had identified over 165 polling stations as high risk. Voters will choose councillors who will decide who leads municipalities and oversees services such as water, sanitation and rubbish collection. The vote is also a test for the African National Congress, which lost its national parliamentary majority in 2024 and faces a strong MKP challenge in parts of KwaZulu-Natal.