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Suspected political assassinations have claimed at least 43 lives in South Africa this year, leading up to September, according to a report released on Friday.
The killings coincide with high tensions as the country prepares for local government elections on November 4, where opposition parties aim to capitalise on voter frustration over African National Congress (ANC) corruption, rising crime, and failing infrastructure.
Data from the Geneva-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) reveals that 2026 has already surpassed all previous annual totals recorded since monitoring began in 2015.
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The civil-society group warned that the deadliest period lies ahead as campaigns intensify.
The organisation documented 45 targeted attacks by September 30, primarily striking political party officials, local ward councillors, civic movement leaders, and traditional authorities.
Members of the ruling ANC suffered the highest casualties, with 13 deaths, while the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) lost eight members.
Violence remains heavily concentrated in KwaZulu-Natal—a key MKP stronghold—followed by Gauteng province, which recorded 10 incidents.
This upcoming vote is a crucial indicator of political support ahead of the 2029 national elections, following the ANC’s historic loss of its parliamentary majority in 2024.
