Cabinet has condemned the recent killings of councillors as South Africa prepares for the local government elections, calling on political parties and communities to reject intimidation and violence that could undermine the electoral process.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Friday that Cabinet had been briefed on the state of readiness for the elections and was satisfied that coordination mechanisms were in place across the national, provincial and local spheres of government.
However, they cautioned against the recent spate of political killings.
At least five councillors reported to have been killed across the country.
“Cabinet has strongly condemned the recent killings of councillors and appreciated the swift response of the law enforcement in finding perpetrators of these heinous crimes,” Ntshavheni said.
“Cabinet called on all South Africans to uphold political tolerance, reject intimidation, violence and any conduct that undermines the integrity of the electoral process as the country prepares for the 2026 local government elections on 4 November 2026.”
The killings have heightened concerns about the safety of political candidates, councillors and communities as parties campaign for control of municipalities across the country.
The most recent incidents include the killings of three people in Knysna within 24 hours, including former mayor and serving Ward 8 councillor Aubrey Tsengwa, who was shot dead on 19 August. Former Ward 7 councillor Mandla Matiwani and ANC member Mandla Tyololo were killed the following evening.
Ntshavheni said the government had mechanisms in place to respond to security threats during the election period, but declined to discuss operational decisions by law enforcement agencies.
On whether policing capacity would be increased and whether the Political Killings Task Team would be expanded to protect councillors and candidates, Ntshavheni said
Natjoints have a full plan on securing the elections and related matters.
“And if Cabinet discusses the operational matters of capacities of policing structures, we are going to run into problems,” she said.
“The police will know these are mechanisms in place within the police system that ensure that if the capacity requires to be enhanced, it will be enhanced.”
The government has also called on voters to participate in the elections and warned against misinformation that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Cabinet said coordination between the three spheres of government was in place to support a “free, fair, credible and peaceful” election, while measures were being implemented to increase voter participation, combat misinformation and ensure operational readiness.
The election will take place against a backdrop of heightened political competition, with parties campaigning to win control of municipalities and metropolitan councils.
Ntshavheni also sought to downplay tensions between parties in the Government of National Unity, which are competing against one another at local level.
“The GNU, it’s intact. Remember, this election period, parties are contesting to win elections in the November 2026 elections and that is the work that will continue to be done,” she said.
