South Africa political killings leave 43 dead, report says

Suspected political assassinations in South Africa have killed at least 43 people this year to September, one month before local government elections, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime said Friday.

The organisation said 45 politically linked attacks were recorded by September 30, mostly targeting political party officials, ward councillors, members of civic organisations and movements, and traditional leaders.

The group said the death toll already exceeds every full-year total since it began monitoring in 2015, with the highest-risk months still ahead as political contests intensify.

Of the 43 people killed, 13 were from the African National Congress and eight were from the MK Party led by former president Jacob Zuma, according to the report, titled "Bullets and Ballots".

The report said most attacks were in KwaZulu-Natal, a stronghold of the MK Party. Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, followed with 10 attacks.

South Africa is due to hold local government elections on November 4. The vote will test support for the ANC before the 2029 national elections, after the party lost its national majority in 2024.