KwaZulu‑Natal will host a provincial peace summit this month bringing together political parties contesting the Local Government Elections and the Electoral Commission (IEC) to promote tolerance and stability ahead of voting on 4 November, Premier Thami Ntuli said.
Summit aims to curb intimidation and violence
The summit follows a string of violent incidents affecting councillor candidates and party members as parties prepare for municipal polls. Ntuli said the meeting is intended to secure commitments from parties and volunteers to avoid confrontations and to allow democracy to proceed without disruption.
“People will be campaigning and so it’s important that we engage on the expectations so that there will be no confrontation that will result in conflicts and instability that is unnecessary. Democracy has to be allowed to take its course,” said Premier Thami Ntuli.
Ntuli, who also chairs the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in the province, emphasised the role of communities and police in assisting investigations into the killings. He urged residents to provide information that could lead to arrests and called on police to pursue all cases regardless of political affiliation.
Recent incidents and broader context
Political parties have reported killings and intimidation in the run‑up to the local elections. In recent days, two IFP councillor candidates were shot dead in separate incidents. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and the African National Congress (ANC) have also reported members killed. Ntuli said, however, that none of the recent attacks have been definitively linked to politics.
Hundreds of political parties will contest seats in councils across South Africa in November. The provincial summit is intended to set clear expectations for behaviour during the campaign period and to encourage non‑violent engagement with voters.
- Who will attend: Political parties contesting the elections and the IEC.
- Purpose: To secure a commitment to peaceful campaigning, discourage verbal and physical attacks, and advise volunteers on acceptable conduct.
- Timing: The summit is scheduled for this month ahead of the 4 November elections.
Practical implications for voters and campaigns
For voters and community leaders, the summit aims to reduce tensions on the doorstep and at campaign events. Ntuli urged that volunteers refrain from unnecessary confrontation and focus on encouraging citizens to make their own choice at the ballot box.
He also called for speedy and thorough police action in all cases of violence. The Premier’s appeal for community cooperation with SAPS is an acknowledgement that information from residents will be critical to solving recent crimes and deterring further incidents.
| Reported incidents | Party affected | Details reported |
|---|---|---|
| Recent shootings of councillor candidates | IFP | Two councillor candidates gunned down in separate incidents |
| Members killed | MKP, ANC | Members have been killed in recent cases; links to politics not confirmed |
What stakeholders say
The IEC’s participation is intended to lend neutrality and reinforce the commission’s mandate to oversee free and fair polls. Ntuli framed the summit as an opportunity to advise party volunteers and to lower the temperature of political competition.
Community leaders, ward councillors and party representatives will be watching closely to see whether the summit produces concrete commitments and practical steps — such as hotlines to report intimidation, coordinated policing at campaign events, or joint public pledges — to limit violence during the campaign.
As campaigns intensify across KwaZulu‑Natal, the summit will test whether political actors can translate high‑level calls for peace into safer, more civil campaigning on the ground.
