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Rival parties campaign side by side in Zwide without violence

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

Candidates from the UDM, EFF, DA and Defenders of the People campaigned in Zwide, Nelson Mandela Bay, on Wednesday and greeted each other. This comes as political killings are reported elsewhere in the country ahead of the local elections.

EFF mayoral candidate Sinawo Thambo said there is no political violence in Zwide and that parties live in harmony there. He also said Zwide is an EFF stronghold. Thambo said he was "quite surprised" that the area was calm.

Rozario Frolick, the DA Ward 25 councillor candidate, said political leaders want to lead the city out of its governance problems. He said this means there will always be synergy during the campaign. Parties in Nelson Mandela Bay have not held talks before the election.

Thambo called such talks a defeatist political mentality. UDM councillor candidate Luxolo Namethe said the party expects to pull significant numbers because it has fielded a candidate in all 60 wards.

Violence has hit other areas. Michael Thulani Mbana, the DA caucus leader in Metsimaholo, was killed in a shooting. An earlier report counted at least 42 people killed in suspected political assassinations since January.

Key facts

Who
Sinawo Thambo (EFF mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay); Luxolo Namethe (UDM councillor candidate); Noluthando Sandi (candidate driving a Defenders of the People vehicle); Brenda Nosilela (SACP Ward 27 councillor)
When
28 October 2026
Where
Zwide, Nelson Mandela Bay, Gqeberha
Status
Reported

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