Kwa Zulu Natal – The murder of an Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) councillor and local government election candidate, Khethelo Mdluli, in KwaZulu-Natal has raised fresh concerns about political violence ahead of the November polls.
Mdluli, 40, was shot at his home in oPhindweni, Gingindlovu, last Thursday evening, with the attack taking place in front of his children.
He was rushed to hospital but died at Ngwelezane Hospital on Monday.
Mdluli had served as an IFP PR councillor in the uMlalazi Local Municipality since 2021 and was standing as the party’s Ward 17 candidate in the upcoming local government elections.
The circumstances of his killing have prompted the IFP to call for investigators to establish whether his political activities played a role.
[JUST IN] The IFP has called on law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that those involved in the killing of the party’s former councillor, Khethelo Mdluli, are arrested and given harsh sentences.
Mdluli, who was the party’s preferred candidate… pic.twitter.com/oC1bqcBMD3
— Gagasi FM News (@GagasiFMNews) September 3, 2026
IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said in a statement that the party wanted the police to investigate every possible motive.
“We further call on the relevant law-enforcement authorities to investigate every possible motive and angle behind this killing, including any possibility that it may be politically motivated.”
The murder comes against a backdrop of renewed concerns over political violence in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Citizen reported that provincial Premier Thami Ntuli recently said at least 18 councillors had been assassinated in the province since the 2021 local government elections.
There have also been recent incidents involving political campaigners. Three IFP members were allegedly assaulted while putting up election posters in the KwaNyuswa area, with the party saying the attackers allegedly told them they did not want the IFP campaigning there.
🐘🐘🐘 🔴⚪️⚫️🟢🟡⚪️🔴
The IFP is calling for the immediate deployment of the KwaZulu-Natal Political Task Team to investigate shocking murders of two IFP councillor candidates in just seven days.
Cde Lucky Sokhela, IFP Ward 8 Candidate in uMshwathi, was brutally gunned down at… pic.twitter.com/nn8ckSMPbc
— #VoteIFP (@vote_ifp) September 3, 2026
There is, however, no evidence currently linking that incident to Mdluli’s murder.
The IFP has condemned the killing and called for all those responsible to be brought to justice.
“The IFP unequivocally condemns this barbaric and senseless killing in the strongest possible terms.”
Hlengwa said Mdluli’s death went beyond the loss of a public representative, arguing that political violence threatened the democratic process itself.
“His murder therefore strikes not only at his family and community, but at the very foundations of our constitutional democracy and the right of every South African to participate freely and safely in the political process.”
Mdluli leaves behind a wife and three children, including a newborn.
The IFP has urged the community to remain calm and avoid retaliatory violence while the investigation continues.
“We must not allow anger and grief to fuel further violence. Instead, we must stand united in demanding justice through the law.”
With the local government elections approaching, Mdluli’s killing has once again put the spotlight on the safety of political candidates and campaigners in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
