Political parties across the spectrum are begging law-enforcement agencies to step up their policing efforts.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa's spokesman, Zweli Mnisi, said the police had assured the minister that, as part of the "proactive attendance to this challenge", they would target "hot spots" .

ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said the killings were a cause for concern.

"These cases must be seriously investigated. We have called for national intervention to complement the work being done by provincial and local investigators," said Zikalala.

Mnisi said the police were working "tirelessly" to arrest those responsible for the murders.

He said that action would include search-and-seizure operations and increased police visibility.

Mnisi said Mthethwa had told the police to ensure that they secured convictions.

ANC member Nhlakanipho Shabane, who died last week after being in a coma for about three weeks, was buried at Nzimakwe, on the South Coast, on Sunday.

Shabane and Hibiscus Coast municipality councillor Wandile Mkhize were shot outside Mkhize's home about a month ago. Mkhize died on the scene.

The ANC's South Coast regional secretary, Mzwandile Mkhwanazi, said on Monday that he had been threatened with death if he did not resign from his post.

"What is strange is that we are united in this region. There are no factions. True, comrades differ on opinions but we are not divided."

Earlier this month a regional secretary of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union in Pietermaritzburg, Khaye Nkwanyana, barely escaped with his life whengun-wielding men attacked him outside his home.

Nkwanyana said his attackers wanted him to quit his union position.

More than a week ago, National Freedom Party member Thamsanqa Mnyango was shot dead in Umlazi. The party said about 22 party members had been killed since last year.