In brief
Lastborn Shazi, a coordinator for the MKP, was killed in KwaZulu‑Natal on the eve of municipal elections, prompting a police investigation amid a spike in politically motivated murders. Police said more than 500 soldiers were deployed to the province and 165 polling stations were marked as high‑risk as voters head to the polls. The MKP, led by former President Jacob Zuma, sees the upcoming election as a chance to become the largest party in the eThekwini metropolitan area.
Lastborn Shazi, an organiser for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), was shot dead at his home in KwaZulu‑Natal late on a Monday, just days before the country’s municipal elections. The fatal incident has triggered a murder investigation by South African police and raised fears of escalating political violence during the campaign period.
Shazi was attending a Zoom call to coordinate the MKP’s campaign when gunshots were fired. His body was found near his residence. Police spokesman Robert Netshiunda said the investigation “has been opened” and that the motives behind the killing are still being explored. The event comes as the country prepares to elect municipal councils that will in turn choose mayors to manage local services such as water, sanitation, and rubbish collection.
In the weeks leading up to the elections, South African police reported at least 20 murders involving political representatives, party members and supporters across the country. The high volume of violence prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy more than 500 soldiers to KwaZulu‑Natal. The armed forces were brought in to support police work, including security at more than 165 polling stations that police have identified as high‑risk.
Election Context and MKP Ambitions
South Africa’s upcoming municipal elections will see voters electing councillors who will then choose mayors. Recent polls indicate that the MKP could become the largest party in the eThekwini metropolitan area, an economic hub in KwaZulu‑Natal, potentially displacing the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The MKP’s rise in recent years has been linked to the party’s foundation following a split with the ANC in 2023, led by former President Jacob Zuma, and its erosion of ANC support in the 2024 national election.
Shazi’s death underscores the fragile security situation in KwaZulu‑Natal and the risks faced by opposition political actors. The police investigation remains open, and authorities are monitoring the situation closely as voters cast ballots on Wednesday. The outcome of the municipal elections could shape the political landscape of South Africa’s largest provinces and indicate whether the country can move past the recent wave of political violence.
