“This is Not Football”: Mkhwanazi Rejects Claim CEE Backed Political Killings Task Team

In a dramatic moment at the Madlanga Commission, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi delivered a sharp and unequivocal rebuttal to claims that the political party CEE (Capitalist Empire of Excellence) provided backing for the now-disbanded Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

The General’s testimony pushed back against a narrative that the specialized police unit was influenced by a political entity. With a tone of clear frustration, Mkhwanazi distilled the core principle of his argument into a simple, powerful analogy: “This is not football.”

Drawing a Line in the Sand

Mkhwanazi’s use of the phrase “This is not football” was a deliberate and vivid rejection of the allegation. In football, teams have clear, partisan supporters. His point was that a professional police unit tasked with investigating murders cannot and must not operate with political “fans” or backers.

He argued that attributing the work of the PKTT to the support of a specific political party fundamentally misrepresents and undermines the unit’s mandate. It suggests a partisan motive for what should be an impartial, evidence-driven investigative process. For Mkhwanazi, this framing was not just incorrect; it was dangerous.

Defending the Integrity of the Investigation

The Commissioner’s forceful denial serves to protect the integrity of every investigation the PKTT ever conducted. If the public were to believe that the unit was acting on behalf of a political party, it would taint every conviction and cast doubt on the motives behind every arrest.

Mkhwanazi’s stance is that the PKTT was pursuing evidence, not a political agenda. Its target was criminals, not the opponents of any specific party. To suggest otherwise, he implied, is to politicize the basic function of policing and destroy the credibility of the justice system.

A Broader Battle Over Narrative

This clash at the commission is about more than just one allegation. It is part of a wider battle over the narrative surrounding the PKTT’s work and its eventual disbandment. Mkhwanazi is not only defending his former unit’s record but also fighting against any perception that its operations were politically compromised from the outside.

By stating “this is not football,” Mkhwanazi made a stand for the principle of an independent police service. His testimony asserts that the fight against political killings must remain in the realm of criminal justice, a serious arena where there is no room for team colors or partisan cheerleading.

{Source: IOL}

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