ON
← Back to feed
KwaZulu-Natal political killings: Two ANC members shot dead in Umgababa
ZA🏛️ PoliticsCenter14 hr. ago

KwaZulu-Natal political killings: Two ANC members shot dead in Umgababa

Two members of the African National Congress (ANC), Lungani Makhathini and Nokuthula Mavundla, were shot dead during a campaign event in Umgababa, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on 15 October 2026. They were part of a team of three ANC volunteers conducting a door-to-door campaign, accompanied by two bodyguards, when they were allegedly ambushed by gunmen in a white Isuzu bakkie. The attackers fired weapons without warning, killing both ANC members and injuring another volunteer before fleeing the scene. The ANC condemned the attack as an 'unprovoked act of violence' and called it an 'act of pure wickedness,' emphasizing that such acts have no place in the political landscape. Police have launched an investigation into the murders, noting that political intolerance cannot be ruled out as a potential motive. This incident follows previous attacks against ANC figures, including Makhathini himself, who had survived an earlier assassination attempt.

Two ANC campaign volunteers were shot dead in Umgababa, south of Durban, during a door-to-door campaign on Thursday afternoon. Police have opened two counts of murder and three of attempted murder in connection with the incident. According to police, the victims, Lungani Makhathini, an ANC local councillor and ward 98 coordinator, and Nokuthula Mavundla, an ANC branch activist, were part of a group of three ANC volunteers conducting a campaign, accompanied by two bodyguards. They were allegedly ambushed by individuals in a white Isuzu bakkie, who opened fire with rifles and pistols. Makhathini and Mavundla were pronounced dead at the scene, while another female ANC member sustained a leg injury and fled. Both bodyguards fled the scene and remain at large. The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal condemned the attack as a “barbaric and cowardly act.” The party stated that the volunteers were engaged in democratic work when they were targeted. It described the shooting as a “ruthless, cold-blooded act” and emphasized that the targeting of women and unarmed community leaders reflected a lack of human decency. The ANC called for specialized law enforcement resources to be deployed to track down the perpetrators and urged witnesses to come forward with information. The party also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured volunteer a full and speedy recovery. The shooting adds to growing concerns over political violence in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly as the November 4 local government elections approach. Since the 2021 local elections, 18 councillors have been assassinated in the province, including five in eThekwini. In September, three Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) councillor candidates were killed in separate incidents. Earlier this year, ANC councillor Sbusiso Cedric “Khekhe” Khwela was shot dead in Klaarwater, and in August, ANC Ward 17 councillor Sbusiso Cedric “Khekhe” Khwela was shot dead in Klaarwater. The ANC has also called for the establishment of a dedicated Political Killings Task Team to investigate the incident and any related cases. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party echoed this call, urging authorities to provide support to affected families and conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The victims of the Umgababa shooting were identified as Lungani Makhathini, an ANC local councillor and ward 98 coordinator, and Nokuthula Mavundla, an ANC branch activist. Makhathini had previously survived an assassination attempt in 2025 and was seriously wounded in another attack earlier this year. He served as the school governing body chairperson at Mnganiwakhe High School and held the position of induna, or headman, under the Umnini Trust traditional authority. The motive for the attack remains unclear, though police have not ruled out political intolerance as a factor. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the occupants of the bakkie reportedly opened fire on the group without warning. The two bodyguards fled the scene and have not been located. The incident has sparked renewed fears of a resurgence in political killings in the province. Recent attacks include the killing of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party activist Nelisile Cindi in Phepheni, Highflats, and the attempted assassination of former ANC mayor Samora Ndlovu in Richmond. Last month, IFP councillor candidate Lucky Sokhela was shot dead in uMshwathi, and another IFP candidate was killed in Ophindweni. The ANC has also faced challenges in its election preparations, having abandoned plans to name mayoral candidates before the November 4 elections due to concerns about internal divisions. The party's National Executive Committee (NEC) feared that announcing preferred candidates could deepen internal conflicts and weaken the election campaign. Instead, the ANC presented lists of potential candidates, leaving final selections unresolved as the election date approaches. The ANC’s head of elections, Mdumiseni Ntuli, confirmed that the party will not announce mayoral candidates before the elections, citing the limited time remaining and the potential impact of disappointment among unsuccessful contenders on campaigning. The decision aims to prevent supporters from withdrawing their backing from the election effort. The ANC’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, recently addressed the party after the Constitutional Court upheld the ANC’s appeal in a case involving the inclusion of 181 candidates on the ballot. Mbalula expressed relief at the court’s decision, which allowed the candidates to remain on the ballot despite the ANC’s failure to complete a final step on the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) online system. The ANC’s focus remains on securing victory in the upcoming local government elections, despite ongoing security threats and internal challenges. The party has reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice for the victims of the Umgababa shooting and maintaining a peaceful political environment.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 4 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (1)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

6 reports

IOL (Independent Online) logoIOL (Independent Online)Party-alignedCenterFactual 90Objective 854 days ago
ANC calls for arrests after two campaign volunteers killed in shooting

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of individuals responsible for a fatal shooting that occurred during a door-to-door campaign in Umgababa, south of Durban. The incident resulted in the deaths of two ANC volunteers and injuries to others. According to police reports, the victims were targeted by occupants of a white Isuzu bakkie who fired upon them with rifles and pistols. This event adds to a growing pattern of political violence in the region, where multiple political figures have been killed since the 2021 local government elections. In response, the ANC has condemned the attack as a 'barbaric and cowardly' act against unarmed civilians engaged in democratic processes and has called for specialized law enforcement resources to investigate the case. The MK Party has also advocated for the establishment of a dedicated task force to address political killings.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the facts of the shooting and includes direct quotes from the ANC regarding the incident. It does not exhibit overt bias toward any particular political side but rather focuses on the event itself and the ANC's response. There is no indication of loaded language or one-sidedness

Why factuality (90): The article provides detailed information about the shooting of two ANC volunteers in Umgababa, including police statements, the involvement of a white Isuzu bakkie, and the number of casualties. These facts are corroborated by other articles covering the same event, indicating strong alignment with

Why objectivity (85): The article presents the event in a largely neutral manner, reporting on the ANC's response and police actions without overt bias. However, it includes some direct quotes from the ANC and mentions the party's call for specialized law enforcement, which could subtly favor the ANC's perspective.

News24 logoNews24IndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 854 days ago
Two ANC members gunned down during door-to-door campaign in Durban

Two members of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party, were shot dead while conducting a door-to-door campaign in Durban. The incident occurred amid heightened security concerns in the region, though no group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. The victims were reportedly engaged in grassroots outreach efforts ahead of upcoming local elections. The attack has raised fears of increased violence in politically sensitive areas and could impact voter turnout and campaign strategies. Authorities have launched an investigation into the killings.

Bias read (Center): The article reports a factual event involving political figures and does not exhibit clear bias in framing, language, or sourcing. It presents the incident as a crime without attributing blame or taking a stance on the broader political implications.

Why factuality (90): The article provides a thorough account of the shooting, including police statements, the involvement of a white Isuzu bakkie, and the number of casualties. It aligns closely with other articles covering the same event, confirming the accuracy of the event description and the lack of known motive. T

Why objectivity (85): The article presents the event in a largely neutral manner, reporting on the ANC's response and police actions without overt bias. However, it includes some direct quotes from the ANC and mentions the party's call for specialized law enforcement, which could subtly favor the ANC's perspective.

IOL (Independent Online) logoIOL (Independent Online)Party-alignedCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 804 days ago
Two ANC members killed while campaigning in Umgababa

Two members of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party, were fatally shot during a door-to-door campaign in Umgababa, a town located south of Durban. Another individual was injured in the incident. The attackers' motives have not been disclosed, and there is currently no indication of who carried out the shooting. This event occurred amid ongoing political activities ahead of upcoming elections. The ANC is a major political force in South Africa, and such attacks could potentially impact the electoral process.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a straightforward account of the incident without apparent ideological framing. It does not take a stance on the political implications or assign blame, focusing solely on the reported facts. There is no evidence of biased language, selective sourcing, or omission of context.

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (80): The article is concise and avoids taking a clear stance, focusing only on the basic facts of the event. However, it omits any mention of the broader political climate or the ANC's response, which might affect the reader's understanding of the full context.

Daily Maverick logoDaily MaverickIndependentCenter14 hr. ago
LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: ANC abandons plan to name mayoral candidates amid fears of supporter backlash

The African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa has decided not to publicly name its preferred mayoral candidates ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026. This decision comes after concerns that revealing candidates early could cause internal divisions within the party and weaken its overall electoral campaign. The ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) expressed worries that supporters of unselected candidates might resist the choice, leading to a loss of support for the party as a whole. Instead of naming specific candidates, the ANC has provided lists of potential mayors, leaving the final decisions unresolved as the election date approaches. The party's head of elections, Mdumiseni Ntuli, stated that the decision was made to avoid disappointing unsuccessful contenders and to maintain unity among competing factions within the ANC.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the ANC's decision-making process neutrally, focusing on internal party dynamics and strategic considerations without overtly favoring any side. It includes quotes from multiple ANC officials and explains the reasoning behind the decision without apparent ideological bias.

Mail & Guardian logoMail & GuardianIndependentCenter21 hr. ago
KwaZulu-Natal political killings: Two ANC members shot dead in Umgababa

Two members of the African National Congress (ANC), Lungani Makhathini and Nokuthula Mavundla, were shot dead during a campaign event in Umgababa, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on 15 October 2026. They were part of a team of three ANC volunteers conducting a door-to-door campaign, accompanied by two bodyguards, when they were allegedly ambushed by gunmen in a white Isuzu bakkie. The attackers fired weapons without warning, killing both ANC members and injuring another volunteer before fleeing the scene. The ANC condemned the attack as an 'unprovoked act of violence' and called it an 'act of pure wickedness,' emphasizing that such acts have no place in the political landscape. Police have launched an investigation into the murders, noting that political intolerance cannot be ruled out as a potential motive. This incident follows previous attacks against ANC figures, including Makhathini himself, who had survived an earlier assassination attempt.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the facts of the killings and includes direct quotes from the ANC condemning the violence, as well as statements from the police. It does not exhibit overt bias toward either side, providing balanced information without editorializing or favoring one perspective over another.

Daily Maverick logoDaily MaverickIndependentCenter4 days ago
LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Mbalula fires DA warning after ANC’s ConCourt victory — ‘Nothing binds us forever’

In the lead-up to the 2026 local elections in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) successfully secured the reinstatement of its 181 candidates on the ballot through a court victory. Following this development, Fikile Mbalula, a senior ANC figure, addressed the Democratic Alliance (DA), which had opposed the ANC's legal challenge. Mbalula expressed concerns over the current governing alliance (GNU) between the ANC and DA, suggesting that the ANC might seek alternative partnerships within Parliament. This statement comes amid growing tensions over the future of the coalition government.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the ANC's legal success and Mbalula's subsequent remarks to the DA. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the factual sequence of events and the political implications.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories