Three United Democratic Movement (UDM) councillor candidates from Lukhanji Local Municipality have died in a car accident on the N6 near Queenstown.

The three were travelling from a campaign in Lady Frere.

UDM provincial spokesman Mandla Gogo confirmed that at 3pm on Wednesday that they were involved in a fatal accident near Queenstown.

 Gogo described the incident as a double blow for the party‚ saying it had lost suitable candidates and colleagues who understood the community they were deployed to serve and that it has also lost out on an opportunity to contest the municipality.

“As the party we are shocked by this news. The provincial office as well as the national office is under a dark cloud. I have personally spoken to the president of the UDM‚ General Bantu Holomisa‚ who has also expressed his deepest condolences to the families‚ said Gogo.

 UDM MPL Thando Mpulu is set to visit the families on Thursday.