Three politicians from different political parties have been killed in separate incidents, two of which occurred in Cape Town, as the country prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections.  

The DA, ANC, and Build One SA (BOSA) have each announced the deaths of party representatives on Saturday evening, following a day of voter registration campaigns by the Electoral Commission and political parties across the country.  

The latest victim, BOSA ward candidate Leon Ngcikwe, was shot and killed in Gugulethu on Saturday night. His death occurred on the same day as the killings of DA ward candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe in Du Noon, and ANC ward councillor Sicelo Mleve in Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape. 

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The African National Congress (ANC) is shocked and deeply saddened by the brutal murder of Comrade Sicelo Mleve, a Ward 27 Councillor in Nelson Mandela Bay and a member of the ANC Nelson Mandela Regional Executive Committee.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Mleve… pic.twitter.com/Q82A1vUiFb

— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) June 21, 2026

According to a BOSA statement, Ngcikwe was attacked after dropping off activists who had been participating in campaign and voter registration activities. 

In connection with his killing, Western Cape SAPS confirmed that Gugulethu police are investigating murder and attempted murder cases following a shooting in NY6. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said a 37-year-old man was fatally wounded while a 21-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. 

“Upon arrival at the hospital the members were informed that the 37 year old male was declared deceased… The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and no arrests have been made yet,” said Twigg.  

The party described Ngcikwe as “a dedicated community leader and a committed activist” whose loss would be felt across Gugulethu and among those who worked alongside him. 

“South Africa cannot continue to normalise violence and lawlessness. Every day, communities across our country are torn apart by violent crime, leaving families shattered and neighbourhoods living in fear. Leon’s death is a painful reminder of the devastating human cost of a crime crisis that has been allowed to spiral out of control,” read the BOSA statement.  

Meanwhile, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has expressed concern over what it describes as a growing pattern of political violence around election periods. 

Further to the mentioned incidents, SALGA spokesperson Motalatale Modiba also noted that two men affiliated with a political party were also killed in the West Rand. He believes these recent incidents are not isolated. 

“Data from SALGA’s Municipal Violence Incident Reporting (MVIR) system shows that hundreds of incidents – ranging from threats and intimidation to killings – have been recorded since 2000 to date in the local government sphere, with heightened incidents during election periods,” said Modiba. 

Like the ANC, DA and BOSA, SALGA has condemned this violence and has called for law enforcement agencies to prioritise stronger measures to curb political killings, such as urgent investigations, increased police visibility in hotspots and swift prosecutions. 

“Political violence undermines the foundations of our democracy. It creates fear, discourages citizens from serving in public office, and erodes the integrity of electoral processes. No one should ever lose their life simply for participating in democratic activities.” 

Two foreign nationals have been arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs after police discovered more than 2kg of dagga concealed in a vehicle on the N10 between Upington and Groblershoop.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), members attached to the ZFM Highway Patrol (A Shift) and Border Police conducted a vehicle checkpoint operation on Sunday, 21 June 2026, when they stopped a white Toyota Tazz for inspection.

During a search of the vehicle, officers allegedly uncovered dagga hidden inside the car.

“The dagga was weighed and found to have an approximate weight of 2.3 kilograms, with an estimated street value of R55 725,” SAPS said.

Two male occupants, aged 32 and 39, were arrested at the scene.

“The pair, who are foreign nationals, were arrested and detained. They are facing charges of dealing in dagga,” police said.

SAPS also confiscated R7 450 in cash, which is suspected to be linked to the illegal drug trade.

The arrests form part of ongoing police operations aimed at disrupting drug trafficking and other criminal activities across the Northern Cape.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate’s Court soon.

The murder of an off-duty police officer is a big loss for SAPS. So says the Provincial Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais. This follows the death of a police sergeant from Nyanga, who was shot dead in Khayelitsha on Sunday.

“This is a devastating loss, not only for this officer’s family and loved ones, but also for the SAPS and the broader law enforcement community,” says MEC Anroux Marais.

The murder of an off-duty police officer is a big loss

MEC Marais says, according to reports, Sgt Tusani was visiting a relative in Town Two when two armed suspects entered the residence at approximately 14:55 and opened fire on him. She says the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle. Subsequently, a murder case has been registered at Lingelethu West SAPS. At this stage, the circumstances surrounding the incident will be investigated.

MEC Marais said, “My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence.”

Leave no stone unturned

The MEC has urged detectives to leave no stone unturned in establishing the motive for the murder. She says they’ll have to determine whether the killing could be linked to the officer’s duties as a member of the South African Police Service. Marais added that all efforts must be made to establish whether this attack was connected to the officer’s work. She says that if this is found to be the case, then it represents an attack on the rule of law itself and should be treated as an attack on the state.

She expressed her deepest condolences

At the same time, the MEC has strongly condemned the murder. She also expressed her deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased officer.