Komani, Eastern Cape – The Chief Whip of Emalahleni Local Municipality, Mr Xoliseka Lali, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in his home at South East Village estate in Komani on Monday morning, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed.
According to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the body of the high-ranking municipal official was discovered by his brother after his wife was unable to reach him in the early hours of the morning.
The wife, concerned by the lack of communication, had asked her brother-in-law to check on him.
Upon arrival, the brother found the front gate and door to the residence unlocked. A live round of ammunition was discovered in the passage. He proceeded to the bedroom where he found Lali lying motionless on the bed with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body and back.
#sapsEC #SAPS responded to a shooting incident at a residence within the South East Village estate in Komani this morning, where Mr Xoliseka Lali, the Chief Whip of Emalahleni Local Municipality under the Chris Hani District was fatally wounded.
The motive for the murder is… pic.twitter.com/6quI5D5ee4
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 22, 2025
“The motive for the murder is currently unknown,” said Gantana.
“Police are actively processing the crime scene and have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Lali’s killing has sent shockwaves through the Chris Hani District, where he served in a key leadership role within the Emalahleni Municipality.
Authorities are appealing to the public for information that could aid the investigation. Anyone with relevant details is urged to contact the SAPS Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111 or submit tips anonymously via the MySAPS App. All information will be handled in strict confidence.
At the time of publishing, no arrests had been made.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
