{
  "id": 15402915,
  "title": "Police probe shooting of ANC campaigners in eThekwini",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/police-probe-shooting-of-anc-campaigners-in-ethekwini",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T12:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/news/2026-10-18-police-probe-shooting-of-anc-campaigners-in-ethekwini/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two prominent ANC figures, Lungani Makhathini and Nokuthula Mavundla, were allegedly murdered execution-style while campaigning in eThekwini's Ward 98 on Thursday. Makhathini, an Induna under the uMnini Traditional Council, and a 28-year-old ANC volunteer, were fatally shot while on a door-to-door campaign for ANC candidate Zibuyile Dimba. The police have opened two murder and three attempted murder dockets, stating that a white Isuzu bakkie approached the five individuals from behind and opened fire. The motive for the attack remains unclear, though political intolerance has not been ruled out. Makhathini had survived a previous attack in February, which allegedly targeted him and claimed the life of ANC Ward 67 branch convener Sipho Dlamini. Local sources suggest that Makhathini's disputed position as Induna and chairperson of an SGB, along with ongoing court cases over leadership challenges, may have been the motive. The ANC's eThekwini Regional Task Team convenor, Thabani Nyawose, called for a thorough investigation to determine if the attack was directed at the ANC or if there were other motives.",
  "summary": "Two ANC campaigners were killed and another person injured during a door-to-door election campaign in Umgababa.",
  "key_points": [
    "Police open two murder and three attempted murder cases, suspecting white Isuzu bakkie attack.",
    "Makhathini survived previous attack in February, possibly linked to leadership challenges."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "ED to probe OPRB officials' role in 2024 Odisha Police SI exam paper 'leak' case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ed-to-probe-oprb-officials-role-in-2024-odisha-police-si-exam-paper",
        "published": "2026-10-18T10:29:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}