Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, the chief whip for the DA in uMngeni, in KwaZulu-Natal, was killed on Tuesday.
He was shot dead in Mpophomeni in the municipality on Tuesday evening.
uMngeni is the only municipality in KwaZulu-Natal which is governed by the DA.
The DA in the province said it was still unclear what the circumstances were surrounding Ndlovu’s death.
uMngeni mayor, Chris Pappas, confirmed Ndlovu’s death and was quoted as saying: ‘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 leader of the DA in the province, Francis Rodgers, said: ‘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.’
It is unclear why Ndlovu was killed but political assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal have been relatively commonplace. However, most of those killed in KwaZulu-Natal are from the ANC and IFP, with killings of people from other parties being a relative rarity.