54 municipal officials killed

Salga proposes budget for security provision

At least 54 councillors and municipal officials have been killed since the 2021 local government elections, and now the South African Local Government Association is calling for government to set a budget for provision of security.

Salga said it was also concerned that more than 300 councillors and municipal officials have being murdered over the past few years.

Salga president Bheke Stofile said: “It cannot be that week after week we convey condolences for public representatives who have been killed. The killing of municipal councillors and/or senior managers should be viewed within contestation of power, it presents a direct attack on our hard-won democracy.”

While the nature of attacks varies, the most common included damage to property, security threats at offices and homes, threats for executing responsibilities, intimidation by gangsters related to building projects and extortion.

Among proposed solutions, Salga believes communities should be educated through public awareness campaigns.