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Political Killings Task Team Row Explodes at Madlanga Commission 2025
Power Struggle at the Heart of SAPS
The Madlanga Commission has become the stage for a rare public clash between two of South Africa’s most senior policing figures. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has accused suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of “total encroachment” on his authority after the minister ordered the immediate disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.
This task team, set up to investigate assassinations linked to politics, has been crucial in provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, where these killings continue to shake communities. Its sudden disbandment has raised alarm over the future of sensitive cases and the independence of the police service.
Where Policy Ends and Operations Begin
At the commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Masemola drew a sharp line between political oversight and operational control. He argued that the minister may set national policing priorities, like targeting gangsterism or cash-in-transit crimes, but cannot dictate how resources are deployed.
“When a minister says, ‘disband now, not even tomorrow,’ that is interference,” Masemola said firmly. He stressed that resource allocation and task team deployment fall squarely under the commissioner’s constitutional mandate, not the minister’s.
Political Killings and Public Concern
The timing could not be more sensitive. Political assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal remain a national crisis, with investigations often hitting roadblocks. For communities who fear every council meeting could end in bloodshed, the disbandment order felt like a betrayal.
Social media has mirrored this outrage. Commenters accused leadership of “playing politics with lives” and questioned whether the SAPS is being weakened when it most needs strengthening.
A Commission Under Pressure
The Madlanga Commission has become a lightning rod for accountability. Just last week, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi testified, accusing Mchunu of broader interference in police operations and pointing fingers at MPs and metro police officers in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni for corruption.
For Gauteng residents, the revelations cut close to home. The idea that officers meant to protect communities may be compromised has left many questioning where the line of trust can be drawn.
The Bigger Picture
This clash is not just about one task team. It highlights a deep governance dilemma: how to balance political accountability with operational independence in the SAPS. Ministers are expected to shape strategy. Commissioners are meant to run the service without fear of political meddling.
As the commission continues, South Africans will be watching for more than testimony. They want assurances that those investigating political violence can do their work free of interference. For families waiting on justice, the stakes could not be higher.
Also read: Police Seize Arsenal in Cape Town Flat: Eight Suspects Arrested
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: SABC News
