In the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, local politics is a deadly game, with at least 40 people killed in
politically motivated shootings since last year.
A battle for control is raging ahead of a conference of the African National Congress to choose a new leader when President Jacob Zuma steps down as ANC chief in December.
Violence has spread across the province on the country’s east coast, but much of the killing can be traced back to hitmen hired from the notorious Glebelands complex of hostels in the provincial capital Durban.
The 71 lawless hostel blocks — originally built to house migrant workers — are home to about 20,000 people, often crowded into decrepit accommodation, sleeping more than 30 to an apartment and sharing a single toilet.