BEKKERSDAL, GAUTENG — The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) is mourning the loss of two of its members who were killed in Bekkersdal while returning from a voter registration drive. Following the tragic incident, Gauteng MK Party spokesperson Andile Chalwe confirmed that the party will campaign vigorously to win the local ward in honour of the fallen volunteers.
The two men, aged 38 and 48, were shot dead in the party’s Section X precinct late last night. Clarifying the victims’ roles, Chalwe emphasized that the deceased were dedicated MK Party members and volunteers working at a voting station, rather than councillor candidates.
According to Chalwe, the two volunteers were walking home after a long day of participating in the voter registration weekend drive. They were wearing MK Party regalia and were approximately 200 meters away from their residences when they were brutally ambushed and shot on the spot. Because the voting station was located very close to where they lived, the victims were on foot.
Investigation Underway as Robbery Ruled Out
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a murder investigation into the killings. The MK Party is actively appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the ambush to come forward and assist law enforcement in solving the case, noting that the local community is deeply hurt by the violence.
Addressing concerns about the nature of the attack, Chalwe confirmed that robbery was not the motive. The victims’ personal belongings, including their cell phones and wallets, were found intact on their bodies, a fact verified by their grieving families.
The spokesperson described the two men as close comrades and prominent community leaders who had been actively working together in the community since 2024.
Motive Remains Unknown Amidst Election Tensions
The murders occur during the sensitive lead-up to local government elections, a period historically associated with political violence. When asked if the party suspected intra-party violence driven by competition for lucrative councillor salaries, Chalwe firmly dismissed the urge to speculate.
Chalwe stated that the party is placing its full trust in SAPS and the justice system to uncover the true motive behind the executions. He stressed that any assumptions at this stage would be unfair and unhelpful, emphasizing that the party’s primary focus remains on ensuring a free, fair, and safe election process.
Party Morale Remains High
Despite the shock and brutality of the murders, the MK Party’s provincial leadership in Gauteng visited the scene, the ward, and the broader sub-region to console the community and remaining volunteers.
Chalwe reported that the party received a warm welcome from the community and that the morale among the remaining volunteers remains remarkably high. The comrades have reportedly reaffirmed their dedication to the political process, declaring their readiness to continue campaigning.
“The spirits were high,” Chalwe noted, recounting the visit. The party has resolved to channel their grief into action, vowing to win the Bekkersdal ward on behalf of the two volunteers who lost their lives in the line of political duty.
