A major controversy is unfolding over the handling of 121 case dockets linked to political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. These critical files were removed from the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and transferred to the national police headquarters in Pretoria....Click to Read More >>➤
The dockets were initially taken for a standard auditing process. However, after the audit was finalized, the files remained at the national headquarters, creating significant uncertainty about their future and the status of the investigations.
This troubling situation has now become a central focus at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The commission continues to hear testimony aimed at uncovering the events that led to the disbandment of the specialized PKTT.
Madlanga Commission Exposes Docket Disarray
Major-General Mary Motsepe, who leads the SAPS serious and violent crime investigation component, recently appeared before the commission. Her testimony detailed the confusing chain of events that led to the 121 dockets ending up under her supervision.
Motsepe stated that the files were sent to national headquarters after the KZN police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, “refused to have anything to do with them.” This refusal by the provincial commissioner marked a critical breakdown in the handling of these sensitive political killings cases.
Leadership Breakdown and Team Disbandment
Further testimony revealed a clear leadership vacuum. Motsepe explained that during a meeting in May with the suspended deputy national police commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, she was informed that official approval had been granted to dissolve the PKTT.
“He told me that according to the approved organisational structure, the PKTT must cease to operate and fall under murder and robbery,” Motsepe testified. This directive formally ended the dedicated task team’s operations.
Motsepe’s understanding of the subsequent events was that National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola then instructed Sibiya to use his own discretion on what to do with the dockets, given Mkhwanazi’s position. In response, Sibiya directed Motsepe to assemble a new team of detectives to investigate the cases.
The transfer of these 121 political killings dockets to Pretoria and the subsequent confusion highlights a severe administrative failure. The ongoing commission seeks to provide answers and accountability for the handling of these critical investigations into KwaZulu-Natal’s political killings. The public awaits clarity on the future of these cases and justice for the victims affected by the political killings in the province. The resolution of these political killings cases remains a top priority for restoring public trust. ...Click to Read More >>➤
