He Was On A Live Video Call:MK Party Leaders Witness The Exact Moment Lastborn Shazi Was Shot Dead

KZN Election Shock: MK Party Leader Lastborn Shazi Gunned Down At Home As Police Face Pressure To Find KillersKwaZulu-Natal has been shaken by the killing of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party regional organiser Lastborn Shazi, who was shot dead at his home in Umzumbe on Monday night, just days before South Africans head to the polls for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The incident has intensified concerns about political violence in the province, particularly as political parties make their final preparations for the Wednesday, 4 November, elections.

Shazi was reportedly participating in a virtual meeting with the MK Party’s regional elections team when the shooting occurred. The meeting was focused on preparations for election activities, but his sudden disappearance from the call raised alarm among colleagues.

According to the party’s KwaZulu-Natal provincial spokesperson, Mkhuseli Mlengane, the organisation received news of the shooting shortly after 9pm.

A team was subsequently sent to the area to establish what had happened. Members were reportedly met with the devastating news that Shazi had been killed.

Reports indicate that unknown gunmen arrived at his homestead and knocked on the door. When he answered, they allegedly opened fire. However, the full circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear.

The MK Party has condemned the killing and described Shazi’s death as a devastating loss to the organisation, his family and the community he served.

The party has called on the South African Police Service’s KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Political Killings Task Team to urgently take over or investigate the case.

It wants a thorough, impartial and expedited investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

However, Mlengane has cautioned party members against speculating about the motive behind the shooting. Speaking to the media, he indicated that the organisation had no confirmed leads and was waiting for investigators to establish what happened.

The party has also appealed to its supporters to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and allow law enforcement authorities to do their work.

Shazi’s killing comes against the background of other deadly incidents involving political figures and supporters in KwaZulu-Natal.

In October, two ANC members, councillor Lungani Makhathini and branch activist Nokuthula Mavundla, were shot dead during a door-to-door election campaign in Umgababa. Another woman was reportedly injured while fleeing the attack.

The latest incident has therefore renewed calls for stronger protection of political representatives, campaigners and ordinary community members.

According to figures reported by EWN on Tuesday, senior advisor Julian Rademeyer said 26 people had been killed in suspected politically motivated attacks since the beginning of 2026. These figures underline the seriousness of the challenge facing authorities.

KwaZulu-Natal police have increased deployments in identified hotspots as authorities work to protect voters, candidates and voting stations.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has also urged political parties to avoid conflict and allow investigations to establish the reasons behind such attacks.

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