The Democratic Alliance's (DA's) chief whip in the uMngeni Local Municipality, Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, was shot dead in Mpophomeni on Tuesday night.

"The exact circumstances around his death have yet to be confirmed," DA spokesperson Francois Rodgers said.

Midlands Emergency Medical Service paramedics were dispatched to the area after the shooting, which occurred at around 19:30.

"On arrival, it was found that one male victim had been shot several times. He was declared dead at the scene," the paramedics said.

uMngeni Mayor Chris Pappas confirmed that Ndlovu had been murdered in his home.

Pappas added:

Nhlalayenza was a great servant of the people who gave selflessly to the people of uMngeni and Mpofana.

"Please keep his wife and small children in your thoughts and prayers."

The municipality is expected to brief the media on Wednesday.

Rodgers added: "The DA caucus in uMngeni and the residents of the municipality have lost a humble servant who always put the needs of those he served above his own. He will be sorely missed."

He called on the police to bring Ndlovu's killers to book.

More than 20 councillors have been gunned down in the province in a string of unyielding political killings.

In July, the provincial SA Local Government Association issued a report that showed that 17 councillors had been killed since last September. There have since been several more murders, taking the total to at least 22.

News24 previously reported that statistics issued by Police Minister Bheki Cele – in his capacity as chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Political Killings in KwaZulu-Natal – showed that 155 political figures were killed between 2011 and September 2023.

News24 was unable to obtain confirmation of the murder from police by the time of publication.