43 killed in political hits ahead of S.Africa polls: report | Africanews (https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)  (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report//)  (http://fr.africanews.com/2026/10/02/afrique-du-sud-43-assassinats-politiques-avant-les-municipales//)  (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report//)                                (http://www.africanews.com/amp/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)  (index.html)  (https://sdk.privacy-center.org) (https://fonts.googleapis.com)  (index.html)  (http://www.africanews.com/apple-touch-icon-57x57.png?v=3) (http://www.africanews.com/apple-touch-icon-60x60.png?v=3) (http://www.africanews.com/apple-touch-icon-72x72.png?v=3) (http://www.africanews.com/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png?v=3) (http://www.africanews.com/apple-touch-icon-114x114.png?v=3) (http://www.africanews.com/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png?v=3) (http://www.africanews.com/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png?v=3) (http://www.africanews.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png?v=3) (http://www.africanews.com/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png?v=3) (http://www.africanews.com/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png?v=3) (../../../../favicon-32x32.png@v=3) (../../../../android-chrome-192x192.png@v=3) (../../../../favicon-96x96.png@v=3) (../../../../favicon-16x16.png@v=3) (../../../../manifest.json@v=3) (http://www.africanews.com/safari-pinned-tab.svg?v=3)   (RSS - News) (http://www.africanews.com/feed/rss?themes=news)  (../../../../css/lightslider-665bf9cf25.min.css)  (../../../../css/lightgallery-4d635ab111.min.css)  (../../../../css/video-js-8d393d09be.css)  (../../../../css/videojs-79556b8d53.ima.css)  (../../../../css/main-998c6e1382.css)     (index.html#start-of-content) Skip to main content   Welcome to Africanews Please select your experience     (http://www.africanews.com/) (Africanews) ">                (http://www.africanews.com/live/) (Africanews)        (en) En (fr) Fr    News  Join us (https://www.facebook.com/africanews.channel/)      (https://twitter.com/africanews)      (https://flipboard.com/@Africanews)    (https://www.youtube.com/c/africanews)      (https://www.linkedin.com/company/africanews?trk=biz-companies-cym)    (https://www.instagram.com/africanews.en)                 (http://www.africanews.com/news/) (News) News   (http://www.africanews.com/business/) (Business) Business   (http://www.africanews.com/sport/) (Sport) Sport   (http://www.africanews.com/culture/) (Culture) Culture   (http://www.africanews.com/science-technology/) (Science & Technology) Science & Technology   (http://www.africanews.com/no-comment/) (No Comment) No Comment   (http://www.africanews.com/programmes/) (Programmes) Programmes   (http://www.africanews.com/programmes/af-podcasts/) (Podcast) Podcast    (http://www.africanews.com/live/)  Live   (http://www.africanews.com/weather/)    (Search ...)             (http://www.africanews.com/weather/) weather  Close (index.html#)         (Search ...)     Watch Live     (http://www.africanews.com/news/) (News) News  (http://www.africanews.com/business/) (Business) Business  (http://www.africanews.com/sport/) (Sport) Sport  (http://www.africanews.com/culture/) (Culture) Culture  (http://www.africanews.com/science-technology/) (Science & Technology) Science & Technology  (http://www.africanews.com/no-comment/) (No Comment) No Comment  (http://www.africanews.com/programmes) (Programmes) Programmes  (http://www.africanews.com/programmes/af-podcasts/) (Podcast) Podcast   (http://www.africanews.com/weather) (Weather) Weather      Breaking
                News  Close (index.html#)       (index.html#)  Just In (share_on_your_website) (share_on_your_website) Copy/paste the script below  (<iframe src="http://www.africanews.com/embed/timeline/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="min-height:500px; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe>)  (http://www.africanews.com/page/widgets/) OTHER WIDGETS       October 2, 2026  22:10   (index.html) (43 killed in political hits ahead of S.Africa polls: report) 43 killed in political hits ahead of S.Africa polls: report      20:51   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/at-least-5700-killed-wounded-in-haiti-gang-crisis-this-year-un/) (At least 5,700 killed, wounded in Haiti gang crisis this year: UN) At least 5,700 killed, wounded in Haiti gang crisis this year: UN      18:44   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/yemen-deadly-battles-between-ansar-allah-govt-forces/) (Yemen: Deadly battles between Ansar Allah, gov't forces) Yemen: Deadly battles between Ansar Allah, gov't forces     Advertising     17:42   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/sickle-cell-disease-remains-a-major-public-health-challenge-in-uganda/) (Sickle cell disease remains a major public health challenge in Uganda) Sickle cell disease remains a major public health challenge in Uganda      17:20   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/un-issues-call-to-action-on-worlds-vital-dryland-forests/) (UN issues call to action on world's vital dryland forests) UN issues call to action on world's vital dryland forests      16:25   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/ebola-goes-after-congos-children-killing-seven-daily-on-average-ngo-says/) (Ebola goes after Congo's children, killing seven daily on average, NGO says) Ebola goes after Congo's children, killing seven daily on average, NGO says      15:43   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/brazils-lula-bolsonaro-snub-final-tv-debate-ahead-of-sundays-polls/) (Brazil's Lula, Bolsonaro snub final TV debate ahead of Sunday's polls) Brazil's Lula, Bolsonaro snub final TV debate ahead of Sunday's polls      15:24   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/union-of-arab-football-associations-backs-fifa-chief-infantino/) (Union of Arab Football Associations backs FIFA chief Infantino) Union of Arab Football Associations backs FIFA chief Infantino      14:59   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/burkina-faso-deaf-dancers-use-special-technique-to-follow-rhythm/) (Burkina Faso deaf dancers use special technique to follow rhythm) Burkina Faso deaf dancers use special technique to follow rhythm      13:13   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/sad-exit-portugal-fans-mourn-hinted-end-of-ronaldo-era/) ('Sad exit': Portugal fans mourn hinted end of Ronaldo era) 'Sad exit': Portugal fans mourn hinted end of Ronaldo era      13:12   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/2025-afcon-final-cas-to-hear-senegal-appeal-on-october-8/) (2025 AFCON final: CAS to hear Senegal appeal on October 8) 2025 AFCON final: CAS to hear Senegal appeal on October 8      12:55   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/egypt-expels-ethiopian-diplomat-in-growing-rife-over-nile-dam/) (Egypt expels Ethiopian diplomat in growing rife over Blue Nile dam) Egypt expels Ethiopian diplomat in growing rife over Blue Nile dam      12:02   (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/residents-of-kenyas-lamu-island-fear-damage-from-mega-refinery/) (Residents of Kenya's Lamu island fear damage from mega-refinery) Residents of Kenya's Lamu island fear damage from mega-refinery     Advertising       View more          (http://www.africanews.com/programmes/news/) News    (http://www.africanews.com/programmes/news/) (news)  43 killed in political hits ahead of S.Africa polls: report          (https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)    (https://twitter.com/home?status=http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)    (https://plus.google.com/share?url=http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)    (mailto:?subject=43 killed in political hits ahead of S.Africa polls: report&body=http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)    (whatsapp://send?text=http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)      president Cyril Ramaphosa greets supporters as he arrive at the Ellis Park stadium for the final election rally of the ruling party in Johannesburg, Sunday May 5, 2019 -  Copyright © africanews  Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.    By Africanews  with AFP   Last updated: 2 hours ago    (http://www.africanews.com/tag/south-africa/) South Africa    Suspected political assassinations in South Africa have claimed at least 43 lives this year to September, with local government elections still one month away, a report said Friday. The country holds local government elections on November 4 with parties hoping to benefit from disillusionment with the ANC, the largest party since democracy in 1994, over collapsed infrastructure, crime and corruption. The toll in suspected political hits so far this year already tops the full-year total since the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) started monitoring in 2015, the organisation said.     It comes with "highest-risk months still ahead as contests for political power gather pace," said the independent civil-society organisation headquartered in Geneva. According to the GI-TOC database, 45 politically linked attacks were recorded to September 30, mostly directed at political party officials, ward councillors, members of civic organisations and movements, and traditional leadership. Of the 43 people who were killed, 13 were from the ANC followed by eight from the MK Party (MKP) led by disgraced former president Jacob Zuma, according to the report entitled "Bullets and Ballots". Most of the attacks were in the KwaZulu-Natal province, the MKP stronghold, with the Gauteng province that includes economic hub of Johannesburg following with 10. The local government election will be a test of support for the ANC ahead of the 2029 national elections after the party that led the struggle against apartheid lost its majority in 2024.     You may also like     (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/at-least-5700-killed-wounded-in-haiti-gang-crisis-this-year-un/) (At least 5,700 killed, wounded in Haiti gang crisis this year: UN)  (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/at-least-5700-killed-wounded-in-haiti-gang-crisis-this-year-un/)   01:36          (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/at-least-5700-killed-wounded-in-haiti-gang-crisis-this-year-un/) At least 5,700 killed, wounded in Haiti gang crisis this year: UN     3 hours ago       (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/yemen-deadly-battles-between-ansar-allah-govt-forces/) (Yemen: Deadly battles between Ansar Allah, gov't forces)  (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/yemen-deadly-battles-between-ansar-allah-govt-forces/)   01:01          (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/yemen-deadly-battles-between-ansar-allah-govt-forces/) Yemen: Deadly battles between Ansar Allah, gov't forces     5 hours ago       (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/un-issues-call-to-action-on-worlds-vital-dryland-forests/) (UN issues call to action on world's vital dryland forests)  (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/un-issues-call-to-action-on-worlds-vital-dryland-forests/)   00:56          (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/un-issues-call-to-action-on-worlds-vital-dryland-forests/) UN issues call to action on world's vital dryland forests     6 hours ago          Share   (https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)    (https://twitter.com/home?status=http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)    (https://plus.google.com/share?url=http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)    (mailto:?subject=43 killed in political hits ahead of S.Africa polls: report&body=http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)    (whatsapp://send?text=http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/43-killed-in-political-hits-ahead-of-safrica-polls-report/)        More About  (http://www.africanews.com/tag/south-africa/) (South Africa) South Africa   (http://www.africanews.com/tag/du-congres-national-africain-anc/) (African National Congress (ANC)) African National Congress (ANC)   (http://www.africanews.com/tag/africa-elections/) (Africa Elections) Africa Elections              You may also like     (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/at-least-5700-killed-wounded-in-haiti-gang-crisis-this-year-un/) (At least 5,700 killed, wounded in Haiti gang crisis this year: UN)  (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/at-least-5700-killed-wounded-in-haiti-gang-crisis-this-year-un/)   01:36          (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/at-least-5700-killed-wounded-in-haiti-gang-crisis-this-year-un/) At least 5,700 killed, wounded in Haiti gang crisis this year: UN     3 hours ago       (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/yemen-deadly-battles-between-ansar-allah-govt-forces/) (Yemen: Deadly battles between Ansar Allah, gov't forces)  (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/yemen-deadly-battles-between-ansar-allah-govt-forces/)   01:01          (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/yemen-deadly-battles-between-ansar-allah-govt-forces/) Yemen: Deadly battles between Ansar Allah, gov't forces     5 hours ago       (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/un-issues-call-to-action-on-worlds-vital-dryland-forests/) (UN issues call to action on world's vital dryland forests)  (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/un-issues-call-to-action-on-worlds-vital-dryland-forests/)   00:56          (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/un-issues-call-to-action-on-worlds-vital-dryland-forests/) UN issues call to action on world's vital dryland forests     6 hours ago          On the same subject      (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/01/nigerias-president-hails-economic-reforms-ahead-of-bid-for-reelection/) (Nigeria's president hails economic reforms ahead of bid for reelection)   NEWS   01:41   Nigeria's president hails economic reforms ahead of bid for reelection   01/10 - 14:47        (http://www.africanews.com/2026/09/30/no-backing-down-safrican-anti-migrant-protesters-vow-to-keep-marching/) ('No backing down': S.African anti-migrant protesters vow to keep marching)   NEWS   01:15   'No backing down': S.African anti-migrant protesters vow to keep marching   30/09 - 21:18        (http://www.africanews.com/2026/09/30/hundreds-of-south-africans-protest-against-undocumented-immigrants-in-durban/) (Hundreds of South Africans protest against undocumented immigrants in Durban)   NEWS   00:55   Hundreds of South Africans protest against undocumented immigrants in Durban   30/09 - 16:36        (http://www.africanews.com/2026/09/30/south-africas-ramaphosa-announces-measures-against-gender-based-violence/) (South Africa's Ramaphosa announces measures against gender-based violence)   NEWS   01:59   South Africa's Ramaphosa announces measures against gender-based violence   30/09 - 10:28        (http://www.africanews.com/2026/09/29/south-africa-competition-between-criminal-networks-fuelling-mass-shootings-analysts-say/) (South Africa: Competition between criminal networks fuelling mass shootings, analysts say)   NEWS   01:11   South Africa: Competition between criminal networks fuelling mass shootings, analysts say   29/09 - 13:26        (http://www.africanews.com/2026/09/28/vally-amisi-family-demands-answers-over-extradition-of-main-suspect/) (Vally Amisi family demands answers over extradition of main suspect)   NEWS   02:18   Vally Amisi family demands answers over extradition of main suspect   28/09 - 14:43               More stories     (index.html) (43 killed in political hits ahead of S.Africa polls: report)  (index.html)   01:14      (http://www.africanews.com/tag/south-africa/) South Africa      (index.html) 43 killed in political hits ahead of S.Africa polls: report     2 hours ago       (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/at-least-5700-killed-wounded-in-haiti-gang-crisis-this-year-un/) (At least 5,700 killed, wounded in Haiti gang crisis this year: UN)  (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/at-least-5700-killed-wounded-in-haiti-gang-crisis-this-year-un/)   01:36      (http://www.africanews.com/tag/haiti/) Haiti      (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/at-least-5700-killed-wounded-in-haiti-gang-crisis-this-year-un/) At least 5,700 killed, wounded in Haiti gang crisis this year: UN     3 hours ago       (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/yemen-deadly-battles-between-ansar-allah-govt-forces/) (Yemen: Deadly battles between Ansar Allah, gov't forces)  (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/yemen-deadly-battles-between-ansar-allah-govt-forces/)   01:01      (http://www.africanews.com/tag/houthis/) Houthis      (http://www.africanews.com/2026/10/02/yemen-deadly-battles-between-ansar-allah-govt-forces/) Yemen: Deadly battles between Ansar Allah, gov't forces     5 hours ago               By using this website, you agree with our use of cookies to improve its performance and enhance your user experience. More info in our (http://www.africanews.com/page/cookie/) Cookies policy page .. Ok  (http://www.africanews.com/) (Africanews) ">                Social Channels (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1_E8NeF5QHY2dtdLRBCCLA) (youtube)           (https://twitter.com/africanews) (Twitter)    (https://flipboard.com/@Africanews) (Flipboard)    (https://www.facebook.com/Africanews-1004882306242283/) (facebook)    (https://www.instagram.com/africanews.en) (instagram)       (http://www.africanews.com/page/about/) About Africanews  (https://www.euronews.com/terms-and-conditions) Terms and Conditions  (http://www.africanews.com/page/contact/) Contacts  (https://www.euronews.com/cookie-policy) Cookie policy  (https://www.euronews.com/commercial/distribution) Distribution  (https://www.euronews.com/commercial/advertising) Advertising  (http://www.africanews.com/page/jobs/) Jobs  (http://www.africanews.com/page/apps/) Apps  (http://www.africanews.com/page/widgets/) Widgets  (http://www.euronews.com) (Euronews - Latest international news) Euronews     Saturday 03/10/2026  (en) English (fr) French