A Cape Town city councillor was killed on Tuesday evening after attending a community meeting. The tragic incident has sparked widespread concern about the safety of public officials working in high-risk areas.
Lazola Gungxe, who served as the Ward 36 councillor for the African National Congress (ANC), was shot dead at the Old Crossroads Community Hall in Nyanga. He had just finished a community engagement session when the attack happened. Police have opened a murder investigation, but the reason behind the killing is not yet known.
The news has left many people shocked and saddened. Political parties from different backgrounds have sent their condolences to the Gungxe family. They are also calling for urgent steps to protect councillors who work in dangerous communities.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said this murder shows a serious problem that has been ignored for too long. Banzi Dambuza, speaking for the party, explained that councillors living in townships face many threats. “Councillors staying in locations are not safe at all,” he said. He pointed out that extortion and violence have become common in the city. The party has asked for protection for councillors many times, but nothing has been done.
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) called the killing a major blow to democracy. Mongezi Mabungane from the ACDP said Gungxe’s death has created a big gap in local government. He described it as a brutal act that harms the very foundation of democratic values. The party wants law enforcement agencies to act quickly and find those responsible.
Benson Ngqentsu from the South African Communist Party (SACP) used strong words to condemn what he called a “cowardly assassination.” He warned that when political killings go unsolved, people lose faith in the justice system. “This is an attack not only on an individual, but on democratic governance and community service,” he said. His statement was easy to understand and made it clear how serious this issue has become.
The GOOD Party also shared their sadness and raised concerns about how dangerous it is to be a public representative. Jonathan Cupido from the party explained that councillors often work on the front lines in unstable areas. “When a councillor is murdered while performing this role, it is not only a personal tragedy, but an attack on public service and community stability,” he said. The party is calling for urgent action to stop the spread of illegal guns, which make these crimes simple for criminals to carry out.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) sent their sincere condolences to Gungxe’s family, friends, and colleagues. Matthew Sims, speaking for the DA, said they trust the law will take its proper course in this case.
Anroux Marais, the Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, strongly condemned the killing. She called on the South African Police Service to conduct a thorough and urgent investigation. “Such acts of violence have no place in our society and must be met with the full might of the law,” she said. Minister Marais urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward.
Police are asking the public for help. Anyone who knows anything about this case can contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111. People can also send tips anonymously through the MySAPS mobile application. Even a simple piece of information could help solve this case.
This killing has brought attention to a growing problem in South Africa. Councillors who serve their communities often face danger, yet protection for them remains inadequate. The death of Lazola Gungxe is not just about one person. It represents a threat to democracy itself. When public servants cannot work safely, the entire system suffers.
Many leaders are now demanding that authorities take real action. Words of sympathy are not enough. Concrete steps must be taken to ensure that councillors can do their jobs without fearing for their lives. The investigation into Gungxe’s murder will be closely watched. People want to see justice served and measures put in place to prevent such tragedies in the future. It should not be easy for criminals to target public officials. Creating a safer environment for those who serve communities should be a simple priority for everyone.
