The 31-year-old mayor of the Endumeni local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal and two others have been arrested for allegedly attempting to assassinate the municipal speaker.
The mayor and his co-accused, aged 36 and 38, are expected to appear in the Estcourt Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said they were arrested in a "pre-dawn raid" by the political task team with the assistance of the National Intervention Unit (NIU).
Mhlongo said this was after the team intercepted information of a plot to allegedly assassinate the municipal speaker.
"The three suspects – the mayor, a councillor and a hitman – allegedly planned an assassination plot against the speaker, who is alleged to be an obstacle in the awarding of a tender.
"It is understood the speaker allegedly suspected undue influence and possible corruption in the process."
They are charged with conspiracy to commit murder and other related charges.
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