An ANC Councillor within the City of Cape Town was murdered on Tuesday afternoon. Lazola Gungxe was fatally shot after a community meeting in Nyanga. Gungxe, who joined the council in 2016, was part of Subcouncil 13, covering areas like Philippi, Crossroads, and Nyanga. He was on the oversight committee for Urban Mobility.
PICTURED: Lazola Gungxe (Facebook)Police confirmed that Gungxe was at a community meeting
when the incident occurred.
‘’On Tuesday, 2026-02-03 at 15:00 Nyanga SAPS members
attend to a shooting incident at the Old Crossroads Community Hall, Gwayi Street,
Nyanga. Upon the members arrival the body of the 48-year-old deceased
was found laying near the entrance of the hall. According to reports there was
a community meeting and after the meeting the deceased discussed certain issues
with the community members when two males entered and approached the deceased
and shot him. They fled the scene in a white Toyota Avanza with no registration
numbers. The suspects is unknown. Nothing was taken from the deceased,’’ said Captain
F.C Van Wyk, Western Cape police spokesperson.
Nyanga police registered a murder case for investigation.
The motive for the attack is yet to be determined
The ANC described him as "a comrade, a colleague, and
a friend".
‘’At this time of profound shock and grief, our primary
focus is on providing support to the bereaved family, colleagues, and the
community… The ANC sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and
comrades of the fallen Councillor. We call for calm and allow the law to take
its course,’’ said ANC Dullah Omar Region in a statement.
Other political parties have also called for a thorough
investigation and protection for public representatives
‘’He was a councillor who not only understood the
complexities of his duties but also executed them with dedication and
integrity. The ACDP vehemently condemns this brutal assassination and calls
upon law enforcement agencies to exert every effort necessary to swiftly
apprehend those responsible. Such an atrocious crime undermines the very fabric
of our democracy and the safety of our communities. We hope that justice will
be delivered expeditiously and that measures will be put in place to prevent
similar tragedies in the future. The loss of Cllr Gungxe leaves a significant
void in our local government and serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced
by those who serve the public,’’ said Mongezi Mabungane, ACDP Councillor.
‘’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. The GOOD Party calls on the South African Police Service
(SAPS) and all relevant law enforcement agencies to conduct an exhaustive and
urgent investigation. We demand that those responsible for this atrocity be
brought to book without delay; justice must not only be done but must be seen
to be done. This killing is yet another stark reminder that the proliferation
of illegal firearms in Cape Town has reached crisis levels. Communities and
public representatives cannot be expected to live and work under constant
threat. We urge the relevant authorities to act decisively to remove illegal
weapons from our streets and to prioritise the safety of residents and those
who serve them,’’ said Jonathan Cupido, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor.
The Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC,
Anroux Marais, has condemned the attack.
‘’His murder is deeply concerning and cannot be tolerated.
Such acts of violence have no place in our society and must be met with the
full might of the law. I call on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to
conduct a thorough and urgent investigation to ensure that the perpetrators of
this heinous crime are identified, apprehended, and brought to book without
delay.’’
Done By: Mitchum George
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