Firoz Cachalia concerned about the return of dockets relating to political killings

JOHANNESBURG - Acting police commissioner Firoz Cachalia has expressed concern over the decision to return dockets related to political killings in KwaZulu-Natal before the commission of inquiry into political interference in the criminal justice system could investigate issues surrounding the task team handling the cases.

National commissioner general Fannie Masemola made the announcement on the sidelines of the 27th Interpol African regional conference, stating that the 121 dockets were being returned from the office of deputy commissioner for crime detection, Shadrack Sibiya, back to the KZN political killings task team.

This comes just weeks after Cachalia took office and already signals growing tensions between the country’s top police officials.

Minister’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said Cachalia has requested a full report from the national commissioner regarding the decision.

"Shortly after his appointment, professor Cachalia requested the national commissioner to furnish him with a detailed report on the task team a report which is yet to be submitted. On the 13th of July 2025, the president of the republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the allegations made by the provincial commissioner concerning the task team and other related matters