Politics · Other · 1 hr ago
South African opposition organiser killed ahead of local elections
Lastborn Shazi, an organiser for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, was shot dead at his home in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on Monday night.
He was on a video call coordinating the party’s election campaign when he was killed.
Police have opened a murder investigation and say the motive is not yet known; the party has called for an urgent investigation.
South Africa’s local elections are due on Wednesday, when voters will elect councillors who later choose mayors responsible for services such as water, sanitation and rubbish collection.
Police say 20 politically linked murders have been recorded during the election period, and more than 165 polling stations in KwaZulu-Natal have been identified as high-risk.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered 510 soldiers to the province to support police, while recent polls project the MKP could become the largest party in eThekwini, a major city in the province.
Lastborn Shazi, a regional organiser for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, was shot dead at his home in KwaZulu-Natal.
Police said they had opened a murder case and were investigating the motive.
The MK Party called for an urgent, impartial investigation into what it described as an apparent planned assassination.
The killing comes amid concern about political violence in the province, where police have recorded 20 murders linked to political activity.
The articles disagree on whether the municipal elections were still ahead: one says they were scheduled for Wednesday, while the other says Shazi was killed two days after them.
- Who
- Lastborn Shazi, identified by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party as its regional leader in Ugu.
- What
- He was shot dead at his home. Police opened a murder case.
- When
- Late Monday night. The articles disagree on whether this was before the municipal elections or two days after them.
- Where
- At Shazi’s home in uMzumbe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Why
- The motive is under investigation. The MK Party said the shooting appeared to be a planned assassination.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
ANC councillor Lungani Makhathini and fellow campaigners were shot dead while campaigning in uMgababa, according to the Mail & Guardian.
ActionSA activist and councillor candidate Ntombi Mkhize was stabbed and strangled, the Mail & Guardian reported.
Police said 20 murders linked to political activity had been recorded ahead of the elections.
Shazi was shot at his home while apparently taking part in a virtual party meeting.
Police said a murder case had been opened, and the MK Party called for an urgent investigation.
- Victim
- Lastborn Shazi
- Party
- uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)
- Location
- uMzumbe, KwaZulu-Natal
- Political murders
- 20 recorded, according to police
- High-risk voting stations
- 165 in KwaZulu-Natal, including 124 in eThekwini
- Investigation
- Police opened a murder case and said the motive was being investigated
3 sources
What people are saying
We demand a thorough impartial and expedited investigation
No individual should lose their lives because of their political involvement or organisational responsibilities