KZN top cop Mkhwanazi details origin of political killings task team at Madlanga Commission

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has provided background on what led to the establishment of the political killings task team.

He is the first witness at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality and Political Interference in the Police.

Mkhwanazi said that the task team is a unit that mirrors the functions of a previous team established in 2011. He has also testified that the task team was formed during a rise in intra-party political killings in the province, which led to the establishment of the Moerane Commission. The Moerane Commission linked the assassinations largely to corruption within local government.

READ: Justice Madlanga playing politics, says MK Party ahead of Mkhwanazi's appearance

"Especially tenders, so you can imagine one who is in a position of authority as a political party leader or as a leader of society has some kind of influence over the issuing of tenders and the business people that want to get tenders, they will always be friends with the one who's got executive authority over the municipality or different provinces,"Mkhwanazi said.

He said that as a result, key recommendations from that commission — independent structures which include having a designated focus on police service in investigating the cases — were established.

"And that's why the South African Police Services responded by creating a team. But Commissioner, that did not stop. We saw more of those incidents happen up until 2018 when the president of the republic decided that the efforts from law enforcement, being the SAPS alone, it was then important that police must not work alone."

JOIN US ON WHATSAPP

Stay ahead of the story: Join our WhatsApp channel today.

Want breaking news at your fingertips, the moment it happens? Our WhatsApp Channel is the fastest way to stay connected with the stories that matter most.

From breaking news alerts to exclusive stories, analysis and must-read features - you’ll get it all directly on your phone.

Joining is simple. J