121 Police Dockets Returned to KZN Political Killings
About 121 police dockets are set to be returned to the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal, following explosive claims of political interference made by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. These dockets lie at the heart of Mkhwanazi’s allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, which he raised during a press briefing in July 2025. The move to return the files comes after months of controversy, highlighting ongoing concerns about corruption, criminal syndicates, and the integrity of law enforcement in South Africa.
Background to the Political Killings Task Team
The Political Killings Task Team, often referred to as the PKTT, was set up in 2019 to tackle a wave of politically motivated murders that have plagued KwaZulu-Natal for years. This followed recommendations from the 2016 Moerane Commission, which looked into the root causes of political violence in the province. The commission found that assassinations were often linked to power struggles within political parties, competition for government tenders, and organised crime networks.
Since its formation, the PKTT has handled hundreds of cases. By mid-2025, the team was investigating a total of 612 dockets. These included serious crimes such as murders, attempted murders, intimidation, and conspiracy. Many of these cases involved high-profile figures, including local councillors, party officials, and even links to broader criminal activities like drug trafficking. The task team’s work has been crucial in a province where political killings have claimed numerous lives, creating fear and instability in communities.
KwaZulu-Natal has long been a hotspot for such violence. Assassinations often target individuals involved in local government or political rivalries, with firearms playing a key role. For example, ballistic reports have connected weapons used in these killings to other crimes across the country, showing how interconnected these networks are.
Mkhwanazi’s Explosive Allegations at the July Press Briefing
On 6 July 2025, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi held a media briefing in Durban to update the public on the PKTT’s progress. What started as a routine report quickly turned into a bombshell as Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of direct interference in police operations. He claimed that Mchunu had ordered the unlawful disbandment of the PKTT and the removal of 121 active investigation dockets from the team.
Mkhwanazi went into detail, stating that on 26 March 2025, these 121 dockets were withdrawn and redirected to the office of Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili-Sibiya, halting critical probes into assassinations. He alleged this was done without the approval of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola or himself as provincial commissioner. According to Mkhwanazi, the motive was to protect politically connected individuals tied to a powerful criminal syndicate.
He described a sophisticated organised crime network headquartered in Gauteng but operating nationwide. This syndicate allegedly involves politicians, including some in Parliament, law enforcement officers from the South African Police Service, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, and correctional services, as well as prosecutors, members of the judiciary, and business people. At its core, Mkhwanazi claimed, is an international drug cartel that traffics narcotics from South America through Durban harbour to Gauteng for processing and distribution.
To support his claims, Mkhwanazi presented evidence such as WhatsApp messages and financial records. One key example involved associates of Minister Mchunu: Mr Brown Mogotsi and Mr Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. He alleged a corrupt relationship, pointing to cellphone data showing communications and payments. For instance, Matlala reportedly sponsored travel for a high-ranking Crime Intelligence officer to a political event in January 2025, funded by his company Medicare 24 Tshwane District, which had secured a R360 million contract for police health services in 2024.
Mkhwanazi also highlighted specific incidents uncovered by the PKTT. In April 2024, a whistleblower named Mr A Swart from QTech was shot dead after reporting price gouging on a Transnet tender. Three suspects were arrested in Johannesburg, and confiscated firearms were later ballistically linked to multiple high-profile cases dating back to 2021. Another arrest followed in December 2024, but progress stalled after the task team’s disruption.
Furthermore, Mkhwanazi accused the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption of meddling, including seizing exhibits like cellphones from Matlala in May 2025 and arresting the PKTT’s project coordinator in June 2025. He claimed an investigator there lacked proper qualifications and had ties to Crime Intelligence.
Mkhwanazi did not stop at Mchunu; he suggested a plot to remove National Commissioner Masemola and dismantle the PKTT at the urging of crime syndicates. He portrayed these actions as obstruction of justice, driven by fear that the investigations were getting too close to powerful figures.
Minister Mchunu’s Response and Denials
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu swiftly denied the allegations, calling them baseless and unfounded. He stated that he had not disbanded the PKTT to shield anyone and insisted that any changes to the team were part of routine restructuring within the police service. Mchunu also rejected claims of corrupt relationships with Mogotsi and Matlala, saying he had not misled Parliament about his associations.
Deputy National Commissioner Sibiya echoed these denials, asserting that the withdrawal of the dockets was handled properly and not influenced by external pressures. Both officials emphasised that the evidence presented by Mkhwanazi was untested and should be scrutinised through official channels.
In the wake of the controversy, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the matter. As a result, Minister Mchunu was placed on special leave pending the investigation’s outcome, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Parliamentary Action and Recommendations
The allegations sparked immediate action in Parliament. The Portfolio Committees on Police and Justice and Constitutional Development held joint meetings to review Mkhwanazi’s claims. In a report dated 22 July 2025, they described the accusations as serious, involving potential corruption, political interference, and malfeasance.
The committees recommended the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to thoroughly examine the issues. This body would assess the evidence, hear from all parties, and determine if there were breaches of law or ethics. They highlighted concerns about the syndicate’s reach into state institutions and stressed the need to protect whistleblowers and ongoing investigations.
Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance, welcomed the move and pledged to use it to push for broader reforms in the South African Police Service, such as stronger anti-corruption measures and independence from political influence.
Recent Developments: Return of the 121 Dockets
In a significant turn of events, it has been confirmed that the 121 dockets will be returned to the Political Killings Task Team. This decision follows intense scrutiny and pressure from Parliament and the public. The files, which cover a range of assassination-related cases, are expected to allow the PKTT to resume its work without further delays.
This step is seen as a victory for accountability, but it also underscores the challenges facing law enforcement in South Africa. With the judicial commission underway, more revelations could emerge, potentially leading to arrests or policy changes.
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