Masemola Denies Disbanding Political Killings Task Team
Johannesburg – National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has denied ordering the disbandment of the elite task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Masemola addressed allegations made earlier this week by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claimed there was deliberate political interference in sensitive investigations involving high-profile politicians and suspected criminal networks.
Masemola rejected suggestions that he had signed off on dissolving the task team.
“I have never seen any letter which I signed off the closure,” he told reporters.
The press briefing follows a dramatic turn of events in recent days, after Mkhwanazi held his own media conference revealing that a total of 125 case dockets—some allegedly linked to political assassinations and corruption—were removed from the task team under the direction of Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, the Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection. According to Mkhwanazi, this move was made under instruction from Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Mkhwanazi further alleged that powerful individuals, including senior police officers and politicians, are part of a broader “criminal syndicate” working to obstruct justice and protect politically connected suspects from prosecution. He warned that the integrity of critical investigations was being compromised at the highest levels.
Masemola declined to weigh in on those specific claims but said Mkhwanazi’s personal security has been reinforced.
“His protection has been beefed up,” Masemola confirmed, acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations and potential risks faced by the KZN commissioner.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has also denied the allegations, describing them as “wild” and without merit. He insisted that any decision to restructure or wind down elements of the task team was made for operational reasons, not political interference.
The KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team was established in 2018 as a response to a wave of high-profile assassinations targeting politicians, councillors, and whistleblowers. The unit has since handled over 600 case dockets and made hundreds of arrests, including those of serving police officers.
As the war of words escalates between senior police figures, calls are mounting for an independent inquiry into the state’s handling of politically motivated violence and the apparent factional battles within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
For now, Masemola maintains the task team remains operational, and investigations are ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more details emerge. – Vene Team