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Two ANC activists were shot dead while canvassing for votes in Durban, highlighting a surge in political violence ahead of the November 4 local elections. The incident, reported just eight hours ago, underscores the heightened risk faced by party workers as rival factions compete for control in key municipalities.
Key developments: the killings occurred during a door‑to‑door campaign, a common grassroots tactic in the run‑up to elections, and they form part of a broader pattern of attacks on political operatives. This has prompted the Political Killings Task Team to launch a probe into related cases, including the recent investigation of Serge Cabonge, an associate of former police deputy commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
Why it matters: The deaths could intimidate volunteers, depress voter outreach, and potentially skew election outcomes in contested wards. Moreover, they raise urgent questions about security for political actors and the effectiveness of law‑enforcement responses amid a volatile pre‑election climate.
What to watch next:
- The progress and findings of the Political Killings Task Team’s investigation.
- Statements from the ANC leadership and the Independent Electoral Commission on safeguarding campaign activities.
- Any further incidents of political violence that might trigger broader security measures before the local elections. [[1]]