At least 42 suspected political killings have been recorded in South Africa since January, with KwaZulu
A new report reveals that at least 42 people have been killed in suspected political assassinations in South Africa this year, with KwaZulu-Natal recording the highest number of incidents. The violence is largely attributed to competition for local government power and lucrative municipal contracts.
Why it matters
Exposes a critical threat to democratic processes and local governance stability in South Africa.
Updated Oct. 2, 2026, 4:39 p.m. | By Nushera Soodyal
At least 42 people have been killed in suspected political attacks in South Africa since January, according to the Ballots and Bullets report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime. The report recorded 36 alleged political attacks between January and September, with KwaZulu-Natal accounting for 16 incidents, the highest provincial total.
At least 42 people have been killed in suspected political assassinations in South Africa since the beginning of the year.
The figures have been released in a report titled "Ballots and Bullets" by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime.
It comes with just over a month to go until the Local Government Elections.
The report compiled by senior adviser, Julian Rademeyer, showed that the deaths were recorded in 36 alleged political attacks between January and September.
Rademeyer said there were nine other non-fatal attacks.
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