Staff Reporter
ANC ward councillor Sicelo Mleve was shot dead in Gqeberha on Saturday evening, becoming the second political party representative killed during the voter registration weekend.
Mleve, 45, was the Ward 27 councillor in Nelson Mandela Bay and a member of the ANC’s Nelson Mandela Regional Executive Committee.
Police said two armed men entered his office in Zwide while a meeting of about 10 people was under way at about 6.50pm. The attackers allegedly held those present at gunpoint, demanded their cellphones, and one of them opened fire on Mleve before fleeing.
Mleve was declared dead at the scene. Police have launched a manhunt for two suspects.
The ANC said it was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the murder.
“Comrade Mleve was killed on the evening of 20 June 2026 while serving the people of his community,” the party said.
“His untimely death deprives the movement and the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay of a dedicated public representative committed to advancing the interests of the community he served.”
The killing came on the first day of the Electoral Commission’s voter registration weekend ahead of the November 4 local government elections. Voting stations were open across the country on Saturday and Sunday for voters to register, update their details or confirm their voting stations.
In the Western Cape, Democratic Alliance Ward 104 by-election candidate and community activist Sinovuyo Dyokwe was also shot dead on Saturday in Dunoon, Cape Town, after taking part in voter registration activities.
The ANC condemned Mleve’s killing and called for arrests.
“The ANC condemns this senseless act of violence in the strongest possible terms and urges law enforcement agencies to spare no effort in ensuring that those responsible are caught and brought to justice,” the party said.
“We also call on all individuals with information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to share it with the police.”
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