KWAZULU-NATAL — Law enforcement authorities have launched a murder investigation following the fatal shooting of MK Party Regional Organiser Lastborn Shazi at his residence in Umzumbe. Shazi, who was also a proportional representation councillor candidate for the party, was killed by unknown gunmen in what is being treated as a targeted attack.
According to party officials, Shazi was alone at his homestead when the assailants entered and shot him multiple times. The incident occurred shortly after 9:00 PM while Shazi was attending a virtual meeting with the regional elections team to prepare for the following day’s elections. He abruptly disconnected from the meeting, and party members subsequently received a call regarding the shooting. Leaders dispatched to the scene confirmed his death. It is currently unknown if there were any witnesses to the crime.
Police are urging the public and party committee members to remain calm and refrain from jumping to conclusions while the investigation proceeds. Authorities emphasized that their primary duty is to determine the identity of the killers and their motives before attributing the murder to specific political factions. Investigators are exploring all angles, including whether the killing was driven by inter-party or intra-party political tensions. Police are working to identify any suspects and potential masterminds behind the attack, and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward to help break the case.
The MK Party is mourning the loss of Shazi and has officially called for a thorough investigation to ensure justice takes its course. Mkhuseli Mlengane, the KZN Provincial Spokesperson for the MK Party, expressed deep condolences to Shazi’s family and the broader party membership.
Mlengane stated that the party currently lacks specific details regarding the circumstances of the killing and is actively discouraging members from speculating. He noted the province’s history of political violence and emphasized the need to avoid fueling further tensions before facts are established. The party indicated it will communicate further once more concrete information is received.
When asked if Shazi had reported any prior threats or intimidation, Mlengane confirmed there were no official reports from the deceased. However, he acknowledged that the current political climate in the province inherently poses security risks during this period. In response to these ongoing security concerns, the MK Party is demanding increased police visibility and the strengthening of the provincial political policing system to prevent future escalations and protect lives.
