IFP councillor gunned down during community meeting

Johannesburg – The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) says it is in “profound shock and sadness” following the murder of its proportional representation councillor in the Rand West City Local Municipality, Mbuso Mzwandile Mthimkhulu, who was shot dead during a community meeting in Bekkersdal on Thursday evening.

In a statement, the party said the 46-year-old councillor was gunned down by an unknown assailant who opened fire before fleeing the scene.

“It is with profound shock and sadness that the Inkatha Freedom Party shares the tragic news of the cold-blooded murder of IFP PR Councillor in the Rand West City Local Municipality, Cllr Mbuso Mzwandile Mthimkhulu (46), in the early evening of Thursday, 28 May 2026, during a community meeting in Bekkersdal,” the party said.

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The Inkatha Freedom Party is mourning the passing of its PR Councillor in the Rand West City Local Municipality, Cllr Mbuso Mzwandile Mthimkhulu (46). pic.twitter.com/V4Oty71DXm

— #VoteIFP (@vote_ifp) May 29, 2026

The party said it remains “shocked” that a public representative could be attacked while engaging with the community, describing the incident as both tragic and alarming.

According to the statement, “reports, whilst still sketchy at this stage, indicate that an unknown assailant opened fire on Cllr Mthimkhulu, fatally wounding him before fleeing the scene.”

The IFP has called on the South African Police Service to urgently investigate the killing and bring those responsible to justice.

Mthimkhulu, who was elected in 2021, also served on the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), where the party said he worked to promote accountability and good governance.

The party has called for calm in the community while investigations continue and extended condolences to his family, colleagues and supporters, describing his death as a devastating loss.