Political Killings Becoming Widespread Ahead of Elections in South Africa
GQEBERHA โ Political killings are becoming a common occurrence ahead of the elections in South Africa. According to political analyst Prof Ntsikelelo Breakfast, this phenomenon happens because local governments have become centers for the accumulation of wealth and resources.
"Local governments are always seen as a field that provides access to economic resources," said Breakfast. He added that during election seasons, those who feel threatened by their rivals may take extreme actions to send a message that others should "step back."
"This is aimed at allowing them to access municipal councils for the purpose of accumulating wealth," he added.
Recent Incidents
Sicelo Mleve, a ward councillor from Zwide in Gqeberha, was shot dead by an unknown man during a community meeting. According to the police, two armed men stormed the meeting, threatened about 10 people with guns, and stole their mobile phones. One suspect then shot the 45-year-old councillor several times before fleeing.
The motive for the murder remains unknown, and the police are conducting a search for the suspect. Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, Babalwa Lobishe, expressed shock and sadness over Mleve's death. Lobishe described the killing as a senseless act that robbed the community of a dedicated public servant.
In Dunoon, Western Cape, Sinovuyo Dyokwe was shot dead while returning home after attending a weekend voter registration campaign. It is believed that his murder was targeted because he had received threats before his death. A SANCO leader, also from Dunoon, was also killed on the same day.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has offered a reward of R50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
In Gauteng, two men linked to a political party were found murdered in West Rand.
Call for Action
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is calling for stronger measures to curb political killings ahead of the November elections. "Unfortunately, these incidents are not isolated," said SALGA spokesperson Motalatale Modiba. "They are part of an increasingly worrying pattern of violence that often peaks around election seasons."
According to Modiba, political violence undermines the foundations of South Africa's democracy. "It creates fear, prevents people from serving in public office, and erodes the integrity of the electoral process," he said.
SALGA emphasized that political killings must be treated as priority crimes and prosecutions need to be expedited. Investigations into the murder cases are still ongoing.
Impact on Democracy
Political killings are not new in South Africa, but the increase in cases before the elections has raised serious concerns. Analysts argue that such violent actions not only take lives but also damage public trust in the democratic process.
"When candidates or community leaders are killed, it sends a message that violence can be used to influence election outcomes," said Breakfast. "This is a direct threat to a healthy democracy."
He called on authorities to take immediate action, including increasing candidate security and accelerating investigations. "If not addressed, fear will cause many people to avoid becoming candidates, which will harm our democracy."
Meanwhile, the local community continues to grieve. Residents of Zwide held a peaceful gathering demanding justice for Mleve. "We have lost a good leader," said a resident. "We want the police to act immediately."
This situation adds pressure on the ANC-led government, which is already facing criticism over crime rates and political violence. The upcoming local elections scheduled for November will be a crucial test of the government's commitment to addressing this issue.
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*Original source: [enca.com](https://www.enca.com/opinion-videos/political-killings-under-spotlight-ahead-upcoming-elections)*