360 suspects held for political killings

Minister of Police Bheki Cele says the team of investigators that was set up to probe political killings in KwaZulu-Natal has arrested 360 suspects with 65 having been convicted.

He said the strategy they were implementing in KZN will be replicated in other provinces.

KZN has seen a spike in the killing of political leaders in the past few years.

The ANC, IFP, NFP and the DA have seen their leaders in municipalities being killed.

Political parties have complained about a lack of action by the police in arresting the perpetrators. However, Cele stated they have been acting and arrests have been made.

He said since the establishment of the task team, the detectives have made progress in these cases.

“Since the establishment of the team a total of 360 suspects have been arrested and charged with 122 suspects still in custody awaiting trial, 42 having been released on bail, and 65 having been convicted.

A total of 82 suspects had charges against them provisionally withdrawn, pending additional evidence, 17 died after they were charged and 32 were found not guilty,” said Cele.

The minister was replying to a written parliamentary question from Economic Freedom Fighters member Nosipho Makamba-Botya.

He added that when President Cyril Ramaphosa asked ministers in the Security Cluster to deal with the matter, they set up a task team to investigate political killings.

The Mercury