Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia voiced concern over the return of 121 dockets to the Political Killings Task Team after SAPS removed them.
On Thursday, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced that SAPS would process the dockets and return them to KwaZulu-Natal so the investigative team could continue its work.
He said investigators did not expect arrests soon because the cases involve complex crimes such as murder, attempted murder, and intimidation.
Minister Cachalia questions the timing
On Friday, Cachalia said he had requested a detailed report on the task team from Masemola after his appointment but had yet to receive it.
He expressed concern that officials were making decisions about the Political Killings Task Team before the judicial commission of inquiry had investigated the issues surrounding it.
“I recognise that the allegations made in relation to the Political Killings Task Team are of immense public interest. The Task Team is at the centre of the allegations made by the Provincial Commissioner and will be dealt with by the Commission. It is a concern, therefore, that steps are being taken in relation to this matter before the Commission has had a chance to investigate,” Cachalia said.
Allegations of interference
The dockets are central to claims of political interference made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
In July, Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering in police operations, disbanding the task team and removing 121 dockets from the unit.
He said the move amounted to obstruction of justice.
Background to the political killings task team
Authorities established the Political Killings Task Team in 2019 after the 2016 Moerane Commission investigated the causes of political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.
The commission recommended decisive measures to curb political violence, leading to the creation of the unit to investigate unresolved politically motivated murders.
Mkhwanazi’s explosive claims triggered a national uproar.
Mchunu dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” while President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a judicial commission of inquiry into the matter.
President placed Mchunu on special leave pending the outcome of investigations.
Should police decisions on political killings wait until the inquiry finishes its work?
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