The Politics of Murder
22 May 2024
KwaZulu-Natal is on the brink of becoming a hotspot for political assassinations post-May 29 elections, as anticipated political realignment could threaten the ANC’s electoral dominance. This insight comes from a report released by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime on Monday (Read the report here).
The report highlights the troubling trend of political violence in KwaZulu-Natal, where more than 19 town councillors have been murdered since the November 2021 local government elections. Alarmingly, six out of eight political assassinations in South Africa since February 2023 have occurred in this province, home to 20.7% of the nation’s 27 million registered voters.
The primary targets of these assassinations have been Ward councillors, driven by intense competition among political factions vying for positions and tenders. Despite previous attempts to curb this violence, notably through the Moerane commission, the measures implemented have proven largely ineffective.
The report underscores that while some recommendations, such as the formation of an interministerial task team, have been enacted, critical suggestions—like educating political party members on peaceful conflict resolution—remain unaddressed. The persistent violence is now a blend of inter-party and intraparty conflicts, exacerbated by shifts in provincial governments and the emergence of coalition municipalities.
KwaZulu-Natal law enforcement has responded by deploying 17,000 police and security personnel across all voting districts to mitigate election-related violence. Sipho Hlomuka, MEC for Transport, Community Safety & Liaison, emphasized the focus on hotspots like KwaNongoma due to high political intolerance, stating, “While most of these challenges can be attributed to dynamics in the local government, we will leave nothing to chance.”
The political landscape in KwaZulu-Natal has been particularly dynamic in the lead-up to the elections, with the ANC, EFF, and IFP all holding manifesto rallies in the province. Adding to the complexity, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, has entered the fray. Although an Ipsos opinion poll last month placed MK support at only 8%, the party is expected to influence outcomes significantly in Zuma’s home province.
In a concerning development, KwaZulu-Natal businessman Visven Reddy and former student activist Bongani Khanyile have threatened violence if Zuma is barred from participating in the elections. The MK party has distanced itself from these threats, clarifying that such statements do not represent the party’s stance.
As KwaZulu-Natal approaches the elections next week, the potential for violence remains a critical concern, underscoring the urgent need for effective measures to safeguard political stability and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Source: Thando Maeko, Political Reporter for Business Day