Ntuli urges parties, candidates to uphold peace and political tolerance ahead of elections
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli has warned political parties and candidates against conduct that could contribute to violence, calling for restraint and peaceful political competition ahead of the November elections.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has called upon political parties and candidates to maintain peace, tolerance, and responsible political behavior prior to the scheduled Local Government Elections on November 4. He cautioned against any actions that could spark political violence. Ntuli emphasized that political entities and individual politicians bore the responsibility of ensuring that the electoral race remained orderly and peaceful.
He made these remarks at the signing of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Electoral Code of Conduct and a ballot draw hosted by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban. Reflecting on South Africa's democratic journey, Ntuli expressed deep concern regarding political assassinations and violence against public officials, which he deemed a significant challenge to the nation's democratic progress.
This warning follows a disturbing trend in KwaZulu-Natal, where 18 councillors have been murdered since the 2021 Local Government Elections, according to data from the Premier's office. Among these fatalities, five occurred in eThekwini. The Political Killings Task Team was established to tackle this issue, following the murder of eThekwini Ward 17 councillor Sibusiso Khwela in August, who was shot at his office in Klaarwater.
Following Khwela's death, three other councillor candidates met a similar fate ahead of the upcoming elections, prompting fears of targeted political violence and its detrimental effect on democratic engagement. Ntuli stressed that compliance with the Electoral Code of Conduct went beyond mere legal adherence; it was a public pledge from political contestants to behave responsibly throughout the election period.
The code aims to foster an atmosphere favorable to free and fair elections, encompassing political tolerance, freedom to campaign, and open public discourse. He urged candidates and political parties to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, respect the rights of others to hold differing political opinions, and maintain decorum during political contests and while celebrating electoral wins.
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