uMngeni Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip Nhlalayenza Ndlovu was gunned down at his home on Tuesday night, in full view of his wife and two children.

He is the latest casualty in a string of political killings that continue unabated in the volatile KwaZulu-Natal. 

According to a source, three men stormed the house and shot Ndlovu, 46, who hails from Thembeni.

The killing comes a week after Ndlovu reported a threat to uMngeni DA Mayor Chris Pappas, who said he had forwarded the information to the provincial government.

Pappas said 10 bullet rounds were found on the scene.

Ndlovu's killing makes it 22 KwaZulu-Natal councillors who have died since September last year, according to figures collated by News24.

The DA confirmed his killing on Tuesday night and, on Wednesday morning, the party held a press briefing. 

Pappas said they knew the identity of the person who threatened Ndlovu recently, describing this person as a politician who isn't a public representative.

He wouldn't divulge more information, citing the sensitivity of the investigation. 

"Upon arrival on the scene, councillor Ndlovu was found face-down with multiple bullet wounds to his body, including to the head. These shots were fired at close range. Bullet holes were also visible through his front door. At least 10 cartridges were found last night," Pappas said in a statement.

He added:

At this stage, the motives behind the attack are not clear. However, available information indicates that the hit was organised locally. I can also reveal that councillor Ndlovu had communicated to me last week about a person whom he believed [to be] a threat. This information will be provided to the South African Police Service. I have sent a formal communication to the premier. No response has been received. No proactive communication from the premier has been forthcoming.

Pappas criticised the government for its "failure" to decisively deal with political violence, which he said had been discussed for a very long time and which threatens to undermine democracy.

He added that political killings had made KwaZulu-Natal "akin to a province in anarchy".

Before the briefing, the DA announced that it was suspending its KwaZulu-Natal premier's campaign for Pappas to allow the mayor to grieve his colleague's death.

In a brief statement early on Wednesday, the party said:

The premier campaign has learnt with great shock and sadness of the brutal murder of DA uMngeni chief whip, councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu.

The DA's statement echoed its provincial leader Francois Rodgers' call for cops to move with speed in their investigation. 

"In light of this tragedy, the DA KwaZulu-Natal premier campaign will suspend all political campaigning to offer Mayor Chris Pappas, the uMngeni DA caucus and the family and friends of councillor Ndlovu time to grieve," the party said in its statement. 

During the briefing, Pappas told reporters that Ndlovu was "a victim of the lawlessness" in South Africa.

He added that the municipality would work closely with police to solve the case.

Pappas described Ndlovu as a people's person and community leader; his "close advisor and a pillar to lean on when all seemed a little bit chaotic or uncertain".

"He was a good friend. He was a kind person.

"We've had talkshops over and over again ... with no convictions, resources. Anarchy is the state of the lack of control of the systems to protect the people. For many, many years, people have been asking for interventions but nothing has been forthcoming," he said.

Pappas said the government was "complicit" in the scourge of political killings in the province.

He added that there was a R100 000 reward for information on Ndlovu's killing.

Asked whether he was concerned about his security, Pappas said he had been advised to speak less about his security, but confirmed that he had received "advice" not to stay in one location for long as a precaution. 

Ndlovu is survived by two children, aged five and six months.