The murder of eThekwini Ward 17 councillor Sibusiso Khwela has renewed scrutiny of the dangers facing local politicians across South Africa.
Councillors are vulnerable, unprotected by dozens of bodyguards and susceptible to attacks, said political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe.
Seepe was commenting on the recent murders of municipal and candidate councillors, which have been brought into the spotlight following the death of Sibusiso Khwela in Durban on Thursday.
Khwela, the eThekwini Ward 17 councillor, was gunned down in his office in Klaarwater. According to police, Khwela was in his office with several locals when an unknown man arrived and posed as someone needing assistance.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the man drew a firearm and shot him several times. Netshiunda said the motive for the killing remains unknown, and the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) will investigate the murder.
