Two African National Congress members were shot dead on Thursday, 15 October 2026, while campaigning door to door in Umgababa, south of Durban, less than three weeks before the 4 November local government elections.

No arrests have been made and the motive is not known. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said political intolerance cannot be ruled out, according to published coverage.

What we know

The shooting happened at around 2pm in Area 24, Umgababa, in eThekwini. Reports say the group was on a door-to-door programme, described as an ANC Women's League programme, when gunmen opened fire. One report says a white bakkie approached the group from behind and that three men opened fire. These details come from individual reports and have not been confirmed by police.

A man and a woman were declared dead at the scene. Their names have not been released.

Police have opened two cases of murder and three of attempted murder, according to published coverage. Officers were collecting evidence at the scene. Nobody has been arrested.

What the ANC says

ANC regional convenor Thabani Nyawose said: "Our coordinator was targeted. At this point in time, we don't know what the motive was." He said parties should be able to campaign in every ward without fear or intimidation, and said: "as long as these people are not arrested, it will be difficult for political parties."

ANC eThekwini coordinator Thanduxolo Sabelo said the party was "extremely disappointed", called for political tolerance among all parties, and urged police to "leave no stone unturned".

Nyawose said ANC volunteers in the area are afraid and that continuing to campaign there will be difficult. These are the party's statements, not findings by police.

What we do not yet know

  • Who the gunmen were, and the motive. Nobody has been charged and no one should be linked to the attack without evidence.
  • How many people were hurt. One report says three others were shot and taken to hospital; another says one woman was injured in the leg while fleeing. Needs confirming.
  • Whether the dead were members or councillors. One headline says "councillors" while the article text says "members". Confirm with the ANC before using either term.
  • Whether the two bodyguards reported to have been with the group were armed, and where they are. One report says they fled and had not been found.
  • Whether the Political Killings Task Team has taken the case; no report we reviewed says so.