UDM councillor shot dead in Gqeberha
Luxolo Namette was killed on Saturday, November 7, 2026, as vote counting for local elections continues.
United Democratic Movement (UDM) councillor Luxolo Namette was shot dead on Saturday, November 7, 2026, in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. The 45-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound to the head on Umnulu Street in Motherwell at approximately 3:50pm. Motherwell police have opened a murder case and are investigating the circumstances and motive.
The UDM confirmed Namette's death and expressed shock, with secretary-general Bulelani Bobotyane calling the killing "tragic" and stating it cast a "dark shadow" over the party's election efforts. The party suspects the murder may be politically motivated due to Namette's public role and plans to refer the case to the police’s political killings task team.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana stated the investigation is in its early stages and further details will be shared. The UDM urged the South African Police Service (Saps) to thoroughly investigate the motive and bring those responsible to justice, emphasizing that political differences should not be resolved through violence.
Why it mattersThe murder of UDM councillor Luxolo Namette in Gqeberha on November 7, 2026, has raised concerns about political violence during local government election vote counting.