MK Party calls on KZN PKTT to probe murder of its regional organiser
According to the party, Lastborn Shazi was shot and killed at his home on Monday.
Vukile Dlwati
Umkhonto WeSizwe Party regional coordinator In KwaZulu-Natal Lastborn Shazi. Picture: @MKParty/X
@MKParty/X
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is mourning the loss of its regional organiser in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on the eve of the local government elections.
According to the party, Lastborn Shazi was shot and killed at his home on Monday.
:
Election tensions fuel rise in political assassinations, warns crime expert
NATJOINTS warns 'political killers' will face full might of law after ANC councillor murdered
The elections are slated for Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
The political organisation is urging the Provincial Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) to get to the bottom of Shazi’s killing.
The party said KZN has a painful history of political killings.
"KwaZulu-Natal has a painful history of political killings. The continued loss of lives through violence is a serious concern that demands decisive action from law enforcement authorities. No individual should lose their life because of their political involvement or organisational responsibilities."
The party wants the truth to emerge through a proper investigative process.
Political killings have surged as the municipal elections approach.
According to the senior advisor to the global initiative against transnational organised crime, Julian Rademeyer, 26 people have been killed in suspected politically motivated hits since 1 January 2026.
He added that since 2000, there have been close to 200 cases related to political killings, with 56 percent of these having taken place during an election year.
"It's a period when there's contestation over resources in municipalities; it's when tensions over access to tenders come to a head, but it is also, in some instances, a way of eradicating opposition," said Rademeyer.