Political assassinations in post-apartheid South Africa

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There have been a number of political assassinations in post-apartheid South Africa.[1][2] Many have been ascribed to battles around patronage within the ruling African National Congress[3][4][5] and it has been suggested that there was an escalation of political assassinations in the lead up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[6][7][8] However, not all assassinations are a result of conflict within the ruling party. The National Freedom Party led by Zanele Magwaza-Msibi, with its base largely in KwaZulu-Natal, claims that 21 of its members have been killed since the party was founded in early 2011.[9] The Inkatha Freedom Party claims that ten of its elected representatives have been murdered.[10] According to the Daily Maverick there have been "59 political murders in the last five years".[11]

According to Raymond Suttner "assassinations have become a regularised way of deciding on leadership and access to wealth within the ANC and its allies".[12]

Location of assassinations

It has been argued that the situation is particularly bad in the provinces of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal with KwaZulu-Natal being, by far, the worst.[7][13][14][15] KwaZulu-Natal has been described as the "epicenter of political violence"[16] while Mpumalanga has been described as "notorious for political assassinations"[17] Fourteen assassinations have been documented in Mpumalanga[18] and 450 in KwaZulu-Natal.[19] It has been reported that "Since the beginning of 2011, the murder of people with high political profiles has been confined almost exclusively to KwaZulu-Natal, with 27 in the province since February 2011.[18] According to the ANC 38 of its members have been assassinated in KwaZulu-Natal since the beginning of 2011.[20] It has been suggested that support for murders in the taxi industry in KwaZulu-Natal by leading figures in the ruling party legitimated the use of violence in the democratic era which then spilled over into the political sphere.[20][21][22]

Conviction rates and a possible 'licence to kill'

There has been one conviction in response to the fourteen assassinations in Mpumalanga and four in KwaZulu-Natal for forty two assassinations leading one researcher to conclude that some people are starting to believe there may be a "general licence for political killings" but that "this may only be available to people in certain political positions".[18]

List of politicians assassinated in post-Apartheid South Africa

  • Thomas Shabalala, IFP MP (and former warlord), Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 2005[23]
  • Thandi Mtsweni, Deputy Mayor, Secunda, Mpumalanga, 2007[24]
  • Rajah Naidoo, Independent councillor, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 2007[25]
  • Moss Phakoe, ANC councillor, Rustenburg, North West Province, 2009[7][26]
  • Caswell Maluleke, ANC Mayor Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, 2000[3]
  • Jimmy Mtolo, local ANC leader, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 2009[27]
  • Sthembiso Cele, chairperson of the ANC Youth League in Umgababa, KwaZulu-Natal, 2009[28]
  • Bongani Ngcobo, ANC leader, Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, 2009[29]
  • Jabulani Khumalo, ANC leader, Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, 2009[28]
  • Jimmy Mohlala, ANC leader, Mbombela, Mpumalanga, 2010[3]
  • James Nkambule, senior ANC politician, Mpumalanga, 2010[30]
  • Sammy Mpatlanyane, senior ANC politician, Mpumalanga, 2010[10]
  • John Ndlovu, ANC politician, Thulamasha, Mpumalanga, 2011[31]
  • S'bu Sibiya, ANC regional secretary, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 2011[32]
  • Wiseman Mshibe, ANC councillor, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 2011[32]
  • Wandile Mkhize, ANC chief whip, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, 2012[1][33]
  • Nhlakanipho Shabane, ANC member, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, 2012[30]
  • Dumisani Malunga, ANC member, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, 2012[34]
  • Bheki Chiliza, ANC member, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, 2012[35]
  • Mthembeni Shezi, ANC Councillor, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 2012[36]
  • David Mosiane Chika, ANC Leader, North West 2012[37]
  • S'bu Majola, ANC branch chairperson, Wembezi, Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, 2013[38]
  • Makhosonke Msibi, ANC Councillor, Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, 2013[39]
  • Siphumelelo Buthelezi, NFP Councillor, Ulundi, 3 November 2013[40]
  • Buyisile Mkavu, ANC Councillor, KwaLanga, Uitenhage, 4 August 2014[41]
  • Charles Thembisile Kanku, ANC ward councillor, Cape Town, 20 October 2014[42]

List of other political assassinations in post-Apartheid South Africa

  • Sinethemba Myeni, 12 April 2006, Umlazi, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (former SACP member supporting independent candidate in local government elections)[43]
  • Mazwi 'Komi' Zulu, 3 May 2006, Umlazi, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (former SACP member supporting independent candidate in local government elections)[43]
  • Scorpion Dimane, anti-mining activist, Mbizana, 2008[44]
  • Mbongeleni Zondi, traditional leader with close ties to Jacob Zuma and the ANC, Durban, 2009
  • Mthunzi Nkonki, MV veteran, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, 2010[45]
  • Bomber 'Radioman' Ntshangase, SACP leader, Mpumalanga, 2012[30][46]
  • Kevin Kunene, environmental rights activist, KwaMbonambi, 2012[47]
  • Dalivuyo Bongo, National Union of Mineworkers, Rustenburg, North West, 2012[48]
  • Thembinkosi Qumbelo, Local activist and ANC leader, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 2013[49]
  • Two unnamed members of Abahlali baseMjondolo, KwaNdengezi, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 2013[50]
  • Steve Khululekile, AMCU regional organiser, Rustenburg, North West, 2013[51]
  • Nkululeko Gwala, Abahlali baseMjondolo activist, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 2013[11][52][53]
  • Sthembiso Biyela & Buyisile Malusi, (Biyela was reported to have left the IFP to join the ANC) Durban, 2014[54]
  • Njabulo Ndebele, Sibonelo “John-John” Ntuli and Ntobeko Maphumulo, NUMSA leaders, Isithebe, KwaZulu-Natal, August 2014[55]
  • Thuli Ndlovu, Abahlali baseMjondolo leader, KwaNdengezi, Durban, 2014[56]
  • Charles Khanku, SANCO leader, Cape Town[57]
  • Mobeni Khwela, Local SACP activist, KwaNdengezi, Durban, 2014[58]
  • Mbuyiselo Phajana Mnguni, Free State regional chairperson of the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union, 2014[59]
  • Chris Nkosi, Gauteng secretary of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, Germiston, 2015[60]
  • Philip Dlamini & another unnamed man, SACP members, Durban, 2015[61]
  • Sikhosiphi Bazooka Rhadebe, Chairperson of the chairman of the Amadiba Crisis Committee, Mbizana, Eastern Cape, 2016[62]

List of assassinations of government officials in post-Apartheid South Africa

  • Noby Ngombane, Head of the Free State government's policy monitoring and evaluation unit, Bloemfontein, Free State, 2005[30]
  • Sammy Mpatlanyane, spokesman for the Mpumalanga department of culture, sport and recreation, Nelspruit, 2010[63]
  • Oupa Matlaba, City Power, Johannesburg, 2011[64]
  • Andile Matshaya, Internal Auditor, Department of Transport, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, 2012[65]
  • Lawrence Moepi, Forensic Auditor at a private firm contracted to the Public Protector's Office, Johannesburg, 2013[66]
  • Moses Tshake, Head Auditor, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Free State, 2013[67]

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 ANC: A party under violent, criminal siege, Paul Trewhela, Mail & Guardian, 4 August 2012
  2. ↑ Quintal, Genevieve (29 July 2012). Political Murders – It's About the Dough, SAPA,
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The ANC's provincial criminal enterprises problem, by Sipho Hlongwane, The Daily Maverick, 23 July 2012
  4. ↑ Power, money and the ANC: There will be blood, Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, 23 January 2012
  5. ↑ Why Are Political Killings Increasing in South Africa?, James Bullock, Think Africa Press, 21 October 2013
  6. ↑ Murder takes party infighting to new level, Setumo Stone, Business Day, 20 July 2012
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 A Culture of Political Assassination, Jane Duncan, SACSIS, 2010
  8. ↑ Murder, Lies and Corruption: Mbombela and the Bequeathal of the ANC's 'Family' War, Dale T. McKinely, 9 September 2011
  9. ↑ Another NFP member killed, SAPA, IOL, 18 July 2012
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Quintal, Genevieve (29 July 2012). Political Murders – It's About the Dough, SAPA
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 KZN: Anatomy of an assassination, Niki Moore, Daily Maverick, 31 July 2013
  12. ↑ Government and tripartite alliance ‘no pitch’ at Marikana memorial, 18 August 2013
  13. ↑ Hlongwane, Sipho (23 July 2012). The ANC's provincial criminal enterprises problem, The Daily Maverick
  14. ↑ Analysis: Meanwhile, on the killing fields of KZN, Mandy de Waal, Daily Maverick, 15 November 2012
  15. ↑ Can the ANC rein in grass-roots coercion?, David Bruce, Mail & Guardian, 20 September 2013
  16. ↑ SA cannot flourish in violent culture, by Imraan Buccus, The Mercury, 5 April 2013
  17. ↑ Two suspects released in Mpumalanga political assassination case, Sizwe Sama Yende, City Press, 2011
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Bruce, David (7 October 2012)
  19. ↑ A Provincial Concern? Political Killings in South Africa, David Bruce, SA Crime Quarterly 2013
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Wheels of justice turn slowly as political killings escalate, David Bruce, Mail & Guardian, 26 October 2012
  21. ↑ Sanctioned taxi violence poisons KwaZulu-Natal, Niren Tolsi, Mail & Guardian, 19 October 2012
  22. ↑ Political killings in South Africa: The ultimate intimidation, David Bruce, Institute for Security Studies, 2014
  23. ↑ Life and times of a tyrant, Paddy Harper, Sunday Times, 2005
  24. ↑ Quintal, Genevieve (29 July 2012). South Africa: Timeline of Reported Political Killings From 2007–2012, All Africa
  25. ↑ Slain councillor was surrounded by dispute, Karishma Ganpath,, IOL, 2007
  26. ↑ Moss Phakoe’s spirit must galvanise us, Zwelinzima Vavi, City Press', 22 July 2012
  27. ↑ Cops hunt for killer of Sanco man, Canaan Mdletshe, Sowetan, 2009
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Timeline of Reported Political Killings From 2007–2012, Quintal, Genevieve SAPA, 29 July 2012
  29. ↑ Quintal, Genevieve (29 July 2012). Timeline of Reported Political Killings From 2007–2012, SAPA
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Murders rock ANC, Paddy Harper, Mmanaledi Mataboge and Sizwe sama Yende, City Press, 29 July 2012
  31. ↑ "Two suspects released in Mpumalanga political assassination case", Sizwe Sama Yende, City Press, 2011
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Three arrested for the murder of eThekwini councillor, City Press, 2011
  33. ↑ Darkness visible in JZ's kingdom by the sea, Niren Tolsi, Mail & Guardian, 20 July 2012
  34. ↑ More ANC leaders gunned down in KZN, SABC, 10 September 2012
  35. ↑ More ANC leaders gunned down in KZN, SABC, 10 September 2012]
  36. ↑ Mthembeni Shezi dies of his wounds, ANC KZN, 27 September 2012
  37. ↑ Murder before Mangaung, by Xolani Mbanjwa, City Press, 16 December 2012
  38. ↑ Wembezi mob barricades road after ‘political’ killing, Daily News, 12 March 2013
  39. ↑ ANC councillor shot dead in KZN, SAPA, 12 August 2013
  40. ↑ NFP leader shot and killed in Ulundi BY NCE MKHIZE, Business Day, NOVEMBER 05 2013
  41. ↑ Murdered councillor a ‘hero’, Lubabalo Ngcukana, City Press, 10 August 2014
  42. ↑ TWEET OF THE WEEK: A culture of political violence and death BY GARETH VAN ONSELEN, Business Day 05 DECEMBER 2014
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Umlazi Political Violence, Press Statement, 2006
  44. ↑ 'We Don't Want Your Development', Jacques de Wet, in Rural Resistance in South Africa, Thembele Kepe & Lungisile Ntsebeza (Eds), UCT Press, 2012
  45. ↑ A Culture of Political Assassination, Jane Duncan, SACSIS, 2010
  46. ↑ Is the SACP still relevant?, Jeremy Cronin, The Times, 31 July 2012
  47. ↑ Amnesty International South Africa Report, 2013
  48. ↑ NUM branch secretary shot dead at Westplats mine, SABC, 6 October 2012
  49. ↑ Cato Crest community leader gunned down, By NKULULEKO NENE, Daily News, 18 March 2013
  50. ↑ Murder in KwaNdengezi, Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement, 2013
  51. ↑ Another Marikana murder, NIVASHNI NAIR, The Times, 13 May 2013
  52. ↑ KZN protest leader shot 12 times, Nkululeko Nene, Daily News, 27 June 2013
  53. ↑ Africa: Killed for crying foul, by Andrew England, Financial Times, 26 August 2013
  54. ↑ Political intolerance behind KZN murders, Sihle Mahanda, The Mercury, 1 April 2014
  55. ↑ Numsa condemns killing of its three shopstewards in Kwazulu – Natal
  56. ↑ Another Abahlali baseMjondolo member assassinated, Daneel Knoetze, GroundUp, 1 October 2014
  57. ↑ Lili ‘hit’ exposes ANC cracks, Warda Mayer, Cape Argus, 2014
  58. ↑ Ziyanda izigameko zokubulawa kwabantu kwaNdengezi KZN Eyethu, 2014
  59. ↑ TWEET OF THE WEEK: A culture of political violence and death BY GARETH VAN ONSELEN, Business Day 05 DECEMBER 2014
  60. ↑ Union leader gunned down in Germiston, Shanti Aboobaker, IOL, 14 April 2015
  61. ↑ Inchanga shooting: call for calm, MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA, Daily News, 27 January 2016
  62. ↑ Opponent of Xolobeni titanium mine assassinated, GroundUp, 23 March 2016
  63. ↑ Quintal, Genevieve South Africa: Timeline of Reported Political Killings From 2007–2012, All Africa, 29 July 2012
  64. ↑ Death of City Power procurement specialist silences staff members, CHARLES MOLELE, Mail & Guardian, 8 February 2013
  65. ↑ Freedom is a killer, Njabulu S. Ndebele, City Press, 29 July 2012
  66. ↑ Moepi's killing a hit:Cosatu, The Times, 21 October 2013
  67. ↑ Who Killed Moses Tshake?, GroundUp, Mandy de Waal and Jon Pienaar, 1 April 2014
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