South Africa's Election Fury: Political Killings Soar to Alarming New Highs!

South Africa is experiencing an alarming surge in political killings leading up to the 2026 local government elections, with the number of fatalities already surpassing the total recorded for the last local government election year. This escalating violence has placed significant pressure on both the police and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to ensure the safety and security of the electoral process.

According to a report titled 'Ballots and Bullets' by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), a total of 43 people were killed in 45 political attacks between January 1 and September 30, 2026. This figure notably exceeds the 30 politically motivated killings recorded during the entire 2021 local government election year. The report highlights KwaZulu-Natal as the epicenter of this violence, accounting for 16 of the attacks, followed by Gauteng with 10 incidents. The June voter registration weekend was identified as the deadliest period of the year so far.

The violence has tragically continued into October. On October 15, two African National Congress (ANC) members were fatally shot by gunmen while campaigning in Umgababa, KwaZulu-Natal. This incident followed closely after four ANC youth members were killed at a memorial service in Katlehong, near Johannesburg, days prior. In September, three Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) ward candidates were murdered in separate incidents, all occurring in KwaZulu-Natal.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern regarding the spate of politically related killings. While addressing journalists during his election campaign in Cape Town, he emphasized the disturbance caused by these attacks, which target campaigners and prospective elected representatives. President Ramaphosa affirmed that law enforcement is actively pursuing those responsible for these murders, stating, "We cannot be a country that has the killings of people who other people may be opposed to. We want to bring those killings to an end."

In response to the escalating threats, the police have activated a comprehensive National Integrated Security Plan for the elections. This plan is coordinated through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), which integrates efforts from the police, military, intelligence services, and other state agencies. Key components of the plan include visible policing, intelligence gathering, protection of election infrastructure, deployment of rapid response teams, and crowd management at political events. Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, NATJOINTS co-chairperson, has issued a stern warning that anyone planning political attacks or assassinations will face arrest and prosecution.

Regarding candidate protection, Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia clarified that automatic individual protection measures are not in place. Instead, police will monitor and assess threats, police public gatherings, and actively work to prevent and investigate intimidation and violence. Any individual protection measures will be considered based on applicable prescripts and verified threat assessments, and importantly, will be applied impartially to all candidates and political parties.

The investigation into these killings is being spearheaded by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), which was established in 2018. Since its formation, the task team has achieved significant results, arresting over 400 suspects, including more than 180 alleged hitmen. The GI-TOC report recommends that the PKTT maintain its authority, funding, and political backing throughout and beyond the election period, and crucially, be shielded from any interference.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), while not directly responsible for policing, works in close collaboration with the security cluster. It co-chairs a priority committee within NATJOINTS, which is dedicated to planning election security. The IEC has briefed Parliament on its approach, which involves security agencies assessing the risk profile of every voting district and categorizing each voting station for appropriate personnel allocation. IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo has also cautioned political parties against engaging in intimidation, sabotage, or acts of intolerance, warning that such actions could lead to interventions by the Electoral Court.

Citizens with information regarding political violence or intimidation are encouraged to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or utilize the MySAPS App to report incidents.