South Africa’s acting police chief said she is deeply concerned about the potential for politically-motivated violence ahead of municipal elections on November 4.

South Africa has a long history of political violence, and several politicians have been murdered this year. That includes two councillors from the African National Congress, the biggest party, one Democratic Alliance candidate, two members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and two from the Economic Freedom Fighters. Seven people have been arrested in connection with the killings.

“There is absolutely no justification for taking the life of another person because of political differences or political contestation,” Puleng Dimpane, the acting national police commissioner, told reporters in Pretoria on Friday.

“We are issuing a stern warning to anyone who is planning attacks, assassinations or acts of violence for political gain.”

The local government poll is the first since the 2024 general election that saw the ANC lose the overall majority it had held since the end of apartheid. Polls show support for the party has declined further and it risks losing control of a number of towns and cities.