ANC Member Samora Ndlovu Hospitalised After Surviving Shooting on R56 in Pietermaritzburg

• Samora Ndlovu, a former Richmond Municipality mayor and African National Congress regional task team member, was shot multiple times
• Ndlovu was reportedly travelling alone on the R56 near Thornville when he came under fire from a gunman in another vehicle that attempted to stop him
• South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the shooting, with some noting that politics was a deadly game, particularly with elections approaching

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

KWAZULU-NATAL — Samora Ndlovu, a senior African National Congress politician and former mayor of Richmond Municipality, survived a shooting on Tuesday night, 7 October 2026.

The KZN ANC Regional Task Team member is currently receiving treatment at St Anne's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg following the attack. Ndlovu (43) was driving alone in a white BMW along the R56 near Thornville towards Pietermaritzburg when another vehicle reportedly moved in front of his car, blocking his path.

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An occupant of that vehicle then got out and fired multiple shots at Ndlovu's car, striking him several times. He was first taken to Richmond Clinic before being transferred to St Anne's Hospital for further treatment.

Ndlovu previously served as the Regional Secretary of the ANC in the Moses Mabhida region, which covers the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, and previously held the position of secretary on the ANC's regional executive committee.

He currently serves as a member of the ANC Regional Task Team in KZN. The circumstances behind the shooting and any possible motive had not been established at the time of publication.

South Africans react to the shooting

The attack drew swift reaction on social media, with many users linking the incident to political violence in KwaZulu-Natal.

Thuthukani Mhlongo wrote:

"The elections are near."

@ADennic98960 commented:

"Yet somehow, some guy wanted to disband the PKTT."

@Bhazmento said:

"They're killing each other for nothing. We're not voting for them."

Haneef Hotay wrote:

"There is no value for life. Life has become cheap."

Ashmin Mariemuthoo added:

"This is very sad. Our young people are losing their lives over politics."

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Parusha Sewrathan extended well-wishes, writing:

"Wishing Samora a speedy recovery."

Other stories about KZN killings targeting politicians

• The family of slain Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) candidate councillor Lucky Sokhela said they were living in constant fear following his murder.
• An African National Congress (ANC) councillor was shot dead in Klaarwater, in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
• KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli revealed that 18 elected councillors were murdered across the province since the 2021 Local Government Elections.

Source: Briefly News