The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State said on Tuesday that its leader in the Metsimaholo caucus, Thulani Mbana, “lost his life in a shooting” the previous night.

The party said the Free State provincial police commissioner “informed us shortly after the shooting that they have a team investigating this incident”. “We trust the investigation will establish the motives and bring those responsible to justice,” said a statement issued by DA Free State leader Roy Jankielsohn.

The Common Sense was privately told that while the motive is unknown, the timing and nature of the attack would be suggestive of a targeted assassination.

Metsimaholo was arguably the most important political battleground for the DA in the Free State.

In the 2021 local government elections, the DA unseated the African National Congress (ANC) in Metsimaholo and took executive control of the municipality through a coalition with the DA’s Jeff Zwane as executive mayor.

That was a significant shift in the Free State, a province historically dominated by the ANC. The coalition was removed in 2023 through a motion of no confidence brought by the ANC.

Ahead of the local government elections on 4 November, there has been deep anxiety in the ANC that a strong DA campaign could allow the party to take control of the municipality once again.

The DA said Mbana joined the party in 2017, and that he worked as a councillor and MMC for Spatial Planning and Human Settlements while the DA was in government in Metsimaholo.

“His passing is a devastating loss to the DA and the community he served so tirelessly. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” the party said.

The DA said it had received messages of condolence from the ANC and the Freedom Front Plus.

“Thulani will be remembered as a dedicated public servant and a champion of his community,” the statement said.

The Common Sense has previously written on the risk of political assassinations ahead of the November 4 polls.