Reports coming in from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) indicate that a candidate councillor of the African National Congress (ANC), Siyabonga Mkhize, was gunned down on Friday evening.
ANC councillor shot dead: Here’s what we know
According to reports, councillor Siyabonga Mkhize was caught off guard by an unknown number of gunmen who opened fire on the community leader, killing him instantly.
Based on a brief statement released by the ruling party’s spokesperson Nhlakanipho Ntombela, the incident took place near a primary school in Cato Crest.
“Yes, we can confirm ANC candidate comrade Siyabonga Mkhize has been shot dead. We still do not know yet the details as to what happened,” Ntombela told Times Live.
Police have yet to release a statement with more information on the murder. At this time, however, the death is believed to be linked to political tensions that have remained palpable in the region.
What we know about Siyabonga Mkhize
Mkhize was revered by many in eThekwini as the next leader of ward 101. According to reports, the political leader was on a door-to-door campaign in the Cato Crest region when, at approximately 18:20, he and another unidentified man he was with, were gunned down.
Moreover, according to police, two other victims who suffered gunshot wounds from the ambush were rushed to hospital and are receiving medical treatment.
Mkhize surfaced on the mainstream radar back in August when it was discovered that his ID number had mysteriously been registered as deceased by the Department of Home Affairs.
#sabcnews #sabckzn Meet Siyabonga Mkhize of eThekwini ward 101 he was suppose to be ANC candidate however his ID has mysteriously been registered as a deceased person at Home Affairs. He wants answers from his party, he has lodged a dispute. pic.twitter.com/Ne8OpRkcgJ
— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) August 24, 2021
The ANC has yet to release a formal statement on the murders.