Gauteng to launch its own political killings task team: Panyaza Lesufi

Gauteng will establish its first-ever political killings task team within the next four weeks to investigate politically motivated murders in the province dating back to 2010, Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced on Wednesday.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg following the Gauteng Executive Council (Exco) Lekgotla, Lesufi said the African National Congress (ANC), the party he represents, has noted a concerning rise in political killings across the province.

The ANC leads the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in the province.

“In the last three months, the ANC observed and noted the number of political killings in our province. We've lost countless councillors, government officials, and staff members employed by local government agencies or state institutions,” he said.

Leaufi said that the party does not believe these killings are coincidental.

“It was the view of the ANC that these killings are not innocent. I was tasked with engaging the Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, to compile a database of unresolved cases dating back to 2010,” he said.

“Based on the information we’ve gathered, we believe there is a need for a dedicated, province-based political killings task team operating within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies.”

Following consultations with Minister Cachalia and provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, Lesufi welcomed the subsequent announcement by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who confirmed the formation of the task team.

“This specialised unit will investigate and resolve high-profile and politically sensitive cases in Gauteng. The unit will be launched in the next four weeks,” Lesufi said.

Gauteng has recorded numerous politically linked murders in recent years, similar to trends seen in other provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal.

Lesufi urged community members and government employees at all levels to come forward with information.

“We encourage our structures, our people, and those with information - especially government employees - to assist this unit. We owe it to the families of the victims and to those who have come forward,” he said.

He added that planning is already underway, with the provincial police developing a comprehensive project plan, defining the unit’s terms of reference, and allocating resources and personnel.

“This initiative is a significant step forward in combating political violence. The Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) fully supports all measures aimed at ensuring peace and political tolerance in our province.”

Lesufi also called for the inclusion of cases related to violence in the taxi industry, citing the targeted killings of taxi leaders.

“We will engage further with SAPS and law enforcement to ensure these cases are not excluded,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude to Cachalia for acting swiftly after their meeting.

“This provincial administration pledges full and unwavering support to law enforcement and the judiciary to arrest and prosecute those who resort to violence to settle political disputes, thereby undermining our Constitution and democracy,” said Lesufi.

The announcement in Gauteng comes in the wake of national developments involving the controversial handling of political killings dockets in KZN.

Masemola recently confirmed that 121 dockets related to political killings have been returned to the disbanded KZN political killings task team to allow investigations to continue. 

The SAPS has confirmed that copies of the dockets have been made for the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The move follows accusations by KZN provincial police commissioner commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu interfered with police operations by ordering the task team’s disbandment and the removal of the dockets.

Mchunu has since been placed on special leave pending investigations.

The Political Killings Task Team in KZN was established in 2019, following the 2016 Moerane Commission, which investigated the causes of political violence in the province.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cachalia have criticised the return of the original dockets, arguing they should remain with the Madlanga Commission. 

However, a compromise was reached after a meeting between Cachalia and Masemola, on September 1.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that the commission is authorised to prioritise urgent cases and refer them to police without delaying justice.

Despite earlier concerns about a lack of transparency from SAPS, both Cachalia and Masemola have now committed to working together.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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