Political murders, in 2016 alone, have claimed 20 lives, in KwaZulu-Natal.

Two of these victims are Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) members, Siyanda Mnguni and Thokozani Majola, who were shot and killed in July this year.

Another victim was Bongani Shelembe who was a National Freedom Party (NFP) councillor. He was killed while returning from a meeting in Tugela Ferry.

Other politically motivated murders across the province, including in Newcastle and Ladysmith, has prompted the KZN Premier Willies Mchunu to launch a commission of inquiry to investigate the murders.

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, October 30 in Durban, Mr Mchunu said that government had ‘resolved to unite and grapple head on with killings associated with politics.’

“Though there have been pockets of political violence in some areas of the province, we have been able to bring back stability in many areas that were ravaged by political violence such as Umtshezi, Nongoma, Ulundi and others. We have achieved this because of the commitment of political leaders some who are present here today. In many of our meetings, we reaffirmed our commitment to promote political tolerance, unity, peace, freedom of choice, expression, and association, before and during and after elections,” explained Premier Mchunu.

The commission will comprise of Advocate Moerane as the Chairperson, Vasu Gounden and Professor Cheryl Potgieter as Commissioners and Mr Mdledle as Secretary. A budget of R10-R15 million has been set aside to finance the commission.