Nelson Mandela Bay & Cape Town, South Africa – A wave of political violence has sent shockwaves across South Africa, as an ANC ward councillor and a DA by-election candidate were brutally assassinated in separate, yet chillingly close, incidents on Saturday night. The back-to-back killings unfolded on the first day of the nation’s final voter registration weekend, casting a dark pall over the upcoming November 4 local government elections and raising urgent questions about the safety of political figures and the integrity of the democratic process.
In Nelson Mandela Bay, the community of Ward 27, encompassing parts of Zwide and Soweto-on-Sea, was plunged into mourning following the murder of its dedicated councillor, Sicelo Mleve. The 45-year-old ANC representative was gunned down at approximately 6:50 PM inside his office, where he was conducting a meeting with roughly ten constituents. Police spokesperson Captain Majola Nkohli provided a harrowing account of the incident: “It is alleged two unknown armed male suspects stormed the office while a meeting consisting of roughly 10 people was actively underway.” The assailants, he added, held everyone at gunpoint, demanding their cellphones before one of the suspects fired multiple shots at Mleve, who was declared deceased at the scene. Police have since launched an intensive manhunt for the two suspects, but as yet, no arrests have been made.
Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Babalwa Lobishe expressed profound shock and devastation at the loss. “We are highly shocked and devastated. A councillor should be a highly protected person,” Lobishe told IOL, highlighting the vulnerability of local government officials. She lauded Mleve as a dedicated public servant, stating, “Councillor Sicelo Mleve was dedicated to serving his community. We are really in a state of shock and appeal for the law to take its course.” Lobishe confirmed that Eastern Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Vuyisile Ncata arrived in the city late Saturday night, with a briefing scheduled to coordinate efforts between the municipality and law enforcement. The mayor admitted that no specific risks had been identified prior to the attack, making the incident an even greater shock to the local administration.
ANC NEC member Andile Lungisa echoed the widespread condemnation, asserting, “No city should normalise weekly killings. Killing of innocent people in Gqeberha needs to be stopped without fear.” He mourned the loss of his colleague, stating, “It is so painful that Sicelo Mleve, a councillor of the ANC, was killed by criminals in his office.” The political implications of such an attack, particularly on an elected official, are immense, threatening to intimidate community leaders and undermine political participation.
Just 50 minutes earlier, approximately 750 kilometres away in Cape Town, another political figure fell victim to a fatal shooting. Sinovuyo Dyokwe, a by-election ward candidate for the Democratic Alliance (DA), was tragically shot and killed in Du Noon, Milnerton, at around 6:00 PM. Dyokwe was returning home from a voter registration venue, having spent the day diligently registering and re-registering DA voters, when the incident occurred.
Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the shooting, stating, “Western Cape police are still processing the scene where a 48-year-old woman was shot dead in Du Noon, Milnerton on Saturday evening.” Preliminary reports indicate that Dyokwe was shot in Mnandi Street by a gunman on foot. Provincial serious violent crime detectives have been dispatched to the scene as part of the murder investigation, but similar to the Mleve case, no arrests have been effected yet.
Dyokwe was a familiar face in Dunoon politics, having previously stood for the DA in Ward 104 in a by-election in March, where the party significantly doubled its vote share to 16%. In a joint statement, the DA’s JP Smith and Nicholas Gotsell expressed their profound shock and grief. “Sinovuyo was gunned down en route home from the voter registration venue after dedicating her day to register or re-register DA voters during day one of registration weekend,” they stated. They remembered her as a vibrant and effective community activist: “Known for her bright smile and bubbly personality, Sinovuyo was instrumental in growing the DA voter base in Dunoon and cemented herself as a reliable and effective community activist.”
The DA has arranged counselling services for Dyokwe’s family, friends, and colleagues, acknowledging the deep trauma inflicted by her sudden and violent death. The party has also vowed to closely monitor the situation and “fight to ensure Sinovuyo’s loved ones receive the justice they deserve,” honouring her unwavering commitment and sacrifices to the party. The loss of two political candidates from opposing parties within such a short timeframe, and on a crucial voter registration weekend, raises serious concerns about the broader political climate and the potential for targeted violence ahead of the municipal elections.
These assassinations underscore the perilous environment in which South African politicians, particularly at the local level, operate. Ward councillors and community activists often serve as the direct link between citizens and government, making them vulnerable targets in areas plagued by crime, political rivalries, and socio-economic tensions. The timing of these killings, coinciding with a critical electoral period, fuels speculation about potential political motives, though police investigations are yet to confirm any such links.
The incidents have prompted calls for increased security for political candidates and a thorough investigation into the underlying causes of such violence. The democratic process relies on the ability of individuals to participate freely and safely, and these acts of violence threaten to undermine the very foundations of South African democracy. As the nation grapples with these tragedies, the focus will be on law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice and on political leaders to foster an environment of peaceful political engagement.
