At least 43 people have been killed in suspected politically linked attacks in South Africa between January and September, according to a report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC).
The killings were recorded ahead of the country’s November 4 local government elections, with the report warning that political tensions could remain high as parties intensify their campaigns.
According to the GI-TOC database, 45 politically linked attacks had been recorded by September 30. The victims and targets included political party officials, ward councillors, members of civic organisations and movements, and traditional leaders.
The report, titled Bullets and Ballots, said the 43 deaths recorded in the first nine months of the year had already exceeded the organisation’s full-year total for politically linked killings since it began monitoring such incidents in 2015.
It said the attacks were concentrated particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, while Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg, recorded 10 cases.
Of those killed, 13 were affiliated with the African National Congress (ANC), while eight were members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), according to the report.
The findings come ahead of local government elections that are expected to test political support at municipal level.
The ANC, which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid, lost its national parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections, increasing the significance of local contests for the major political parties.
The GI-TOC said the country was entering a period of heightened political risk, with the remaining weeks before the elections potentially bringing further competition over political power.
The organisation has previously documented a long-running pattern of politically linked assassinations in South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where political killings have historically increased around election periods.
The report highlights the security challenges surrounding South Africa’s local elections and the broader concerns over violence targeting political and community figures.
