Police are investigating after two ANC members were shot dead while campaigning in Umgababa, south of Durban. Image credit beast of news x
Gunmen have shot dead two ANC members who were campaigning door to door in Umgababa, south of Durban, just weeks before the 4 November local government elections. Police say they cannot rule out political intolerance as a motive for the Umgababa shooting.
The attack happened in Area 24, Umgababa, on Thursday afternoon. According to police, three ANC members, two women and a man, were canvassing in the area with two bodyguards. A white Isuzu bakkie then pulled up behind the group. The people inside allegedly opened fire on all five with rifles and pistols.
A man and a woman died at the scene. According to eNCA, one of the victims was a ward councillor. However, the ANC has not yet released their names, because officials are still informing their families.
What police say about the Umgababa shooting
Police say one woman hurt her leg while she ran from the gunmen. However, EWN reported that gunmen shot three more ANC members, who went to hospital for urgent care. Meanwhile, police say the two bodyguards fled the scene, and officers have not yet found them.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the motive remains unknown. However, he said police cannot rule out political intolerance. Police have opened two cases of murder and three cases of attempted murder. So far, police have made no arrests.
ANC eThekwini coordinator Thanduxolo Sabelo said the party is extremely disappointed. He said the motive remains unclear, but he described it as deeply worrying that the attack happened while members were doing political work. He called on people to tolerate all political parties, and he urged police to leave no stone unturned.
Sihle Makhathini, the brother of one of the victims, told eNCA that the loss is devastating. According to Makhathini, residents say two men climbed out of a car and started shooting. He added that the killings have left the community fearing for its safety.
The attack comes just two days after another deadly shooting targeted ANC members. On Tuesday, a gunman opened fire on a group of ANC Youth League members in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, as they walked home from a memorial service. Four of them have since died.
Furthermore, the killings add to growing fears of violence ahead of the elections. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime has recorded 45 attacks with suspected political links in the first nine months of this year, and these attacks claimed 43 lives. KwaZulu-Natal accounts for a large share of those cases.
Commentary across social media platforms has reacted with shock and anger. Many users have called on government to protect candidates and campaigners. Others fear that the violence will keep voters away from the polls.