Exploring the nexus between political careerism and political killings in South Africa’s local government level

Abstract

Background: In post-apartheid South Africa, much has been written about political killings or political assassinations, particularly at the local government level. Many studies carried out on this topic focus mostly on factionalism and internal squabbles within the African National Congress (ANC). Little attention has been paid to the impact of political careerism on political killings at the local government level.

Aim: This article seeks to explore and discuss the impact of political careerism on political killings at the local government level in South Africa.

Methods: The article relied on secondary data from accredited journal articles, scholarly books, official reports, academic dissertations and conference proceedings. A qualitative desktop analysis of data was employed.

Results: Policy recommendations are suggested to remedy political killings and promote peaceful conflict resolution within political parties.

Conclusion: High unemployment and a lack of job opportunities drive individuals, particularly youth, to pursue political careers for economic gain, resulting in conflicts and assassinations.

Contribution: There are two main contributions in this article. Firstly, it underscores how political careerism within the ANC has led to the rise of quasi-politicians who prioritise personal enrichment over development and public service. Secondly, it connects economic conditions to political behaviour. As a result of high unemployment and a lack of entrepreneurial opportunities, the youth, mainly in the ANC, pursue political careers as a path to economic opportunities.