Pictured: ANC Nelson Mandela Bay Ward 27 councillor Sicelo Mleve (left) and DA Dunoon by-election ward candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe (right)
Image: FILE
An ANC ward councillor was assassinated during a meeting in Nelson Mandela Bay on Saturday night, about 50 minutes after a DA candidate was gunned down in Cape Town.
The back-to-back killings unfolded on the first day of SA's final voter registration weekend ahead of the November 4 local government elections.
The Bay's Ward 27 councillor, Sicelo Mleve, representing parts of Zwide and Soweto-on-Sea, was shot dead at his office about 6.50pm.
"It is alleged two unknown armed male suspects stormed the office while a meeting consisting of roughly 10 people was actively underway," police spokesman Captain Majola Nkohli said.
"It is further said that the suspects held the victims at gunpoint, and ordered everyone present to handover their cellphones.
"One of the suspects fired upon a 45-year-old man, inflicting multiple gunshot wounds, before fleeing the scene.
"[He] sustained several gunshot wounds and was declared deceased on the scene."
Nkohli said police have launched a manhunt for the two suspects.
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe told IOL: "We are highly shocked and devastated.
"A councillor should be a highly protected person.
"Councillor Sicelo Mleve was dedicated to serving his community.
"We are really in a state of shock and appeal for the law to take its course."
Lobishe said Eastern Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Vuyisile Ncata arrived in the city late on Saturday night.
"We will receive a briefing from him today so that the municipality and the police can join forces," she said.
"Before this happened, we had not identified any risks. It's a huge shock to us."
ANC NEC member Andile Lungisa said: "No city should normalise weekly killings.
"Killing of innocent people in Gqeberha needs to be stopped without fear.
"It is so painful that Sicelo Mleve, a councillor of the ANC, was killed by criminals in his office."
Meanwhile, a DA by-election ward candidate was shot and killed in Du Noon, Milnerton, at 6pm.
Sinovuyo Dyokwe was returning home from a voter registration venue after spending the day registering and re-registering DA voters when the incident occurred.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the shooting.
"Western Cape police are still processing the scene where a 48-year-old woman was shot dead in Du Noon, Milnerton on Saturday evening," Potelwa said.
"Preliminary reports indicate the deceased person was shot in Mnandi Street by a gunman on foot at approximately 6pm.
"Provincial serious violent crime detectives are on the scene as part of the investigation into the murder.
"No arrests have been effected yet."
Dyokwe had previously stood for the DA in Ward 104 in Dunoon in a by-election in March where the party doubled its vote share to 16%.
In a joint statement, the DA's JP Smith and Nicholas Gotsell said they were in shock.
"Sinovuyo was gunned down en route home from the voter registration venue after dedicating her day to register or re-register DA voters during day one of registration weekend," they said.
"Known for her bright smile and bubbly personality, Sinovuyo was instrumental in growing the DA voter base in Dunoon and cemented herself as a reliable and effective community activist."
They said the DA has arranged counselling for her family, friends and colleagues.
"The DA will be monitoring the situation closely and will fight to ensure Sinovuyo’s loved ones receive the justice they deserve.
"Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the DA. Your dedication and sacrifices will forever be remembered."
IOL