Democratic Alliance caucus leader Michael Thulani Mbana has been shot dead in the Free State, just over a week before South Africa’s local government elections.
Mbana served as a councillor in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality and previously held the position of Member of the Mayoral Committee for Spatial Planning and Human Settlements. The DA said he was killed in a shooting on Monday night. The circumstances surrounding his death and the motive remain unknown.
Free State provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Solly Lesia informed the DA that an investigation team had been deployed. Police have not publicly announced a motive or identified any suspects.
The local government elections are scheduled for 4 November. Mbana’s death comes as parties and candidates prepare for the vote, but police have not said whether his political role was connected to the shooting.
The DA in the Free State said Mbana joined the party in 2017 and devoted himself to political activism, community service and building local party structures. He represented the party through election campaigns and by-elections, and served as a councillor and MMC while the DA was in government in Metsimaholo.
In a statement, the party said he was committed to representing local residents and ensuring their voices were heard. It described his death as a devastating loss for the party and the community.
The DA extended its condolences to Mbana’s wife, family, friends and colleagues. It also acknowledged messages of condolence from MEC Ketso Makhume, on behalf of the African National Congress, and Jan van Niekerk of the Freedom Front Plus.
“Thulani will be remembered as a dedicated public servant and a champion of his community,” the DA said.
The party said it trusted that the investigation would establish the motive and bring those responsible to justice. Police have not released further details about the shooting.