Background: The Political Killings Task Team and Its Mandate
In early 2024 the South African Police Service set up a specialised unit – the Political Killings Task Team – to investigate a surge of murders that appeared to be linked to political rivalries in KwaZulu‑Natal. The task team was given a clear brief: trace the perpetrators, gather forensic evidence, and present cases to prosecutors, aiming to break a cycle of impunity that had plagued the province for years.
Within months the unit compiled over a hundred active dockets, many involving high‑profile figures and alleged collusion between local politicians and criminal networks. Its work attracted both commendation from civil‑society watchdogs and unease from certain political circles that feared exposure.
- 121 dockets were opened covering incidents from 2018 to 2024.
- The team operated under the direct oversight of National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
- Funding and resources were initially earmarked by the national treasury, signalling strong political will.
Testimony Before the Madlanga Commission and Its Fallout
On 22 September 2025, during a televised hearing of the Madlanga Commission, Commissioner Masemola disclosed that he had been ordered by then‑Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu to dismantle the task team. He said Mchunu claimed that President Cyril Ramaphosa was behind the decision, a claim Masemola found unsettling.
Masemola explained that after receiving the directive, he raised concerns with the President, outlining the potential damage to ongoing investigations. According to his testimony, the President’s response was vague, leaving Masemola to interpret the instruction as tacit approval.
The commissioner also detailed the controversial relocation of 121 political‑killings dockets to Gauteng. He argued that moving the cases disrupted investigative continuity, required new forensic teams, and effectively stalled progress, raising suspicion that the transfer was meant to dilute focus on KwaZulu‑Natal’s political climate.
Earlier testimony from Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KwaZulu‑Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, painted a similarly bleak picture. Mkhwanazi alleged a web of collusion involving senior politicians, prosecutors, and even intelligence operatives, all pushing to conceal politically sensitive murders.
The revelations have amplified calls for President Ramaphosa to appear before the commission. Legal analysts suggest that if the President is summoned, the inquiry could expand to examine whether constitutional provisions on the independence of the police were breached.
Since the commission’s launch in July 2025, chaired by Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, five weeks of hearings have produced a trove of documents, text messages, and internal memos. Observers note that the investigation is still in its infancy, but the pressure on the current administration is already palpable.
Political parties across the spectrum have issued statements. The opposition Democratic Alliance demanded a full parliamentary inquiry, while the ruling African National Congress has defended the President, claiming the allegations are “politically motivated”. Meanwhile, civil‑society groups such as the South African Human Rights Commission have urged the commission to issue subpoenas for any officials who may have facilitated the disbandment.
As the Madlanga Commission continues its work, the South African public watches closely. The outcome could reshape how the police handle politically charged crimes and set a precedent for the accountability of senior officials in future investigations.
