eThekwini — ActionSA’s eThekwini mayoral candidate, Zwakele Mncwango, has linked the deadly shooting of two ANC campaigners in Umgababa to a wider problem in municipal governance: the competition for public contracts and tenders. The incident, which left two people dead and a third wounded, has reignited concerns about how procurement and budget control can entrench corruption and spark political violence.
Attack in Ward 98 shocks South Coast community
The victims were identified as Lungani Makhathini, an ANC election coordinator, and Nokuthula Mavundla, a campaign volunteer. A third person, Siminenkosi Ndlovu from the Moses Mabhida region, was wounded and taken to hospital. The shooting occurred during door‑to‑door campaigning in Umgababa, Ward 98, on the KwaZulu‑Natal South Coast last week.
Police have not yet established a motive for the attack. Authorities are investigating and community leaders have expressed deep concern about the safety of campaigners and canvassers as the local government election campaign continues.
Candidate points to tenders and procurement as flashpoints
Mncwango said competition for municipal contracts, procurement processes and access to budget allocations can become a lucrative route to influence and wealth, turning political contests into something far more dangerous than policy disagreement.
He argued that when councillors or local powerbrokers interfere with tenders or seek to control who benefits from municipal spending, public institutions effectively become vehicles for private gain — and that dynamic risks escalating into violence.
- Stronger oversight: Mncwango called for more robust financial controls and clearer, enforceable oversight mechanisms to keep politicians out of procurement decisions.
- Ethical leadership: He said elected representatives must understand their legal and ethical responsibilities and place residents’ interests ahead of personal or party advantage.
- Transparent processes: Transparent decision‑making and public accountability were highlighted as essential to breaking cycles of corruption and reducing incentives for violent contestation.
Local governance problems, say political actors
At 46, Mncwango is a PR councillor with more than 15 years’ experience in the eThekwini region. He told reporters his political outlook was formed by a journey from rural KwaZulu‑Natal to university and international governance programmes, and by long experience in municipal politics.
He described the problems in eThekwini as going beyond potholes and patchy services: he pointed to entrenched failures in accountability and resource management that allow governance problems to persist and worsen.
| Name | Role | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Lungani Makhathini | ANC election coordinator | Deceased |
| Nokuthula Mavundla | ANC campaign volunteer | Deceased |
| Siminenkosi Ndlovu | Moses Mabhida region member | Wounded, hospitalised |
What this means for voters and councillors
Local communities are left to contend with two simultaneous challenges: mourning and ensuring safety for campaigners, and addressing the underlying causes that may be driving such violence. Mncwango said the eThekwini municipality requires a fundamental change in governance culture — including clear separation between political actors and procurement decisions.
He urged measures that would reduce discretion and increase scrutiny over how contracts are awarded, and recommitted to the idea that municipal leadership must prioritise service delivery and the public good.
Calls for accountability and calm as investigations continue
Political leaders across parties have been urged to tone down rhetoric and to work with law enforcement while the investigation is under way. Residents in Umgababa and surrounding communities remain anxious as the local election campaign proceeds.
For now, the motive remains unclear and police enquiries continue. Observers say the case underlines longer‑term risks when governance fails: where procurement and budgets offer incentives for patronage, political competition can carry consequences well beyond ballots and council chambers.
Further reporting will follow as investigators release details and as municipal leaders respond to calls for stronger oversight and transparency in eThekwini.
