KZN political killings task team investigates alleged cover-ups involving senior police officers

Members of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) political killings task team are collaborating with detectives in Gauteng to investigate possible cover-ups in high-profile murder cases that allegedly involve senior police officers.

This revelation was made by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during an exclusive interview, where he detailed the challenges and resistance faced by the task team in its pursuit of justice.

Alleged Cover-Ups and Resistance to the Task Team

Mkhwanazi believes that the task team’s ongoing investigations into these high-profile cases are the primary reason for efforts to disband it.

In December 2024, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu wrote to National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, instructing him to dissolve the political killings task team. However, the directive has not been carried out, leading to speculation about the true motives behind the attempt to shut down the unit.

KZN political killings task team

According to Mkhwanazi, the team has uncovered suspicious activities in Gauteng, where certain murder cases appear to have been deliberately squashed.

“I know that there are some terrible things that happen in Gauteng about other murder cases in Gauteng that seem to be squashed somehow, that this team is picking up. That seems to be the issue, which to me is the interesting one,” Mkhwanazi said.

This suggests that the task team’s work extends beyond KZN, raising questions about how widespread these alleged cover-ups are and who is involved.

Senior Police Officers Under Investigation

Mkhwanazi did not name specific individuals, but he hinted at the level of police officials suspected of involvement.

“Obviously, there may be many people involved, that’s why I said senior officers are involved and I know that senior officers start from a brigadier, so there is a brigadier involved,” he stated.

This suggests that the cases under investigation may involve police officials at the highest levels, raising serious concerns about corruption and obstruction of justice within law enforcement.

The task team was initially established in 2018 by President Cyril Ramaphosa in response to the alarming rate of political assassinations in KZN. Over the years, it has been instrumental in investigating and arresting suspects linked to hitmen networks and political violence.

However, the recent push to dissolve the unit has led to concerns that powerful individuals within the police service and political structures may be trying to shield themselves from exposure.

Why the Task Team is Under Threat

The KZN political killings task team has been a crucial part of South Africa’s fight against politically motivated violence, particularly in a province that has seen a high number of assassinations linked to internal political disputes.

The team has arrested several prominent figures, including hitmen and suspected masterminds behind these killings. Their work has, however, drawn the attention of powerful individuals who may now be attempting to undermine their investigations.

The directive to disband the unit, issued by Minister Mchunu, has fueled speculation that there is an intentional effort to halt investigations into cases that could implicate influential figures.

Implications of the Alleged Cover-Ups

If the allegations of cover-ups and police involvement in political killings are true, it raises serious concerns about the integrity of law enforcement in South Africa.

Some of the potential consequences include:

• Loss of public trust in the police force

• Obstruction of justice for families of victims

• Continued political violence and assassinations

• Further weakening of law enforcement agencies

The failure to hold senior officers accountable could lead to a situation where criminal networks continue to operate within the police service, undermining efforts to restore law and order.

What Happens Next?

Despite efforts to disband the task team, it continues to operate and investigate alleged police involvement in political assassinations.

The next steps will likely involve:

• Further investigation into the alleged cover-ups in Gauteng

• Possible arrests of senior police officials

• Political pressure on the National Commissioner to disband the unit

• Potential legal action if evidence of misconduct is found

For now, Commissioner Mkhwanazi remains committed to ensuring that the task team continues its work and that no attempts to derail justice succeed.

However, with senior police officers now under scrutiny, the outcome of this high-stakes battle within the police force remains uncertain.