High Court Inquiry hears explosive claims as Police Minister faces backlash for disbanding political killings task team
The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, came under fire on Wednesday during the opening of the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry, after his controversial decision to disband the political killings task team and halt the filling of key crime intelligence posts.
KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the commission’s first witness, criticised the minister’s move, saying Mchunu’s decision was “misplaced”.
The commission, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is tasked with probing serious allegations of corruption, political interference, and the infiltration of South Africa’s law enforcement and intelligence structures by criminal syndicates.
Minister’s letter sparks controversy
At the centre of the dispute is a letter dated 2 January 2025, in which Mchunu announced the disbandment of the task team, arguing that it was not adding value to policing.
Mkhwanazi strongly disagreed.
“The minister’s conclusion that the team does not add any value to policing in South Africa was misplaced,” he told the commission.
He went on to say that whoever advised Mchunu likely misinformed him by suggesting that the team was investigating organised crime in Gauteng — a mandate that was never theirs. According to Mkhwanazi, the letter amounted to interference in the operational work of the police, a function that falls under SAPS management, not the minister’s office.
“The filling of crime intelligence posts was the responsibility of the divisional commissioner and the national SAPS commissioner, not the minister,” he said. “The impact of this is severe. We have already been trying to put some reforms within crime intelligence in order to respond to the growing crime level in the country.”
Focus on political killings
The commission will examine 121 case dockets linked to political murders in KwaZulu-Natal, involving councillors, office bearers, and traditional leaders. While copies of these files have been provided to the inquiry, the originals remain under the custody of the provincial task team.
Mkhwanazi, who previously raised alarm bells about political interference during a media briefing on 6 July, told the commission that the work of the task team was vital and already exposing dangerous networks that spanned politicians, police officers, and organised crime figures.
Murder of engineer linked to corruption
In his testimony, Mkhwanazi detailed one of the most disturbing cases investigated by the team: the killing of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, who was gunned down outside his workplace on 17 April 2024.
The murder opened up allegations of a corruption scandal tied to multimillion-rand Transnet contracts, implicating organised crime syndicates, police officers, and even a magistrate.
Three suspects were arrested in connection with the crime — police officer Michael Pule Tau, along with Musa Kekana and Floyd Mabusela. They faced a slew of charges, including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, possession of stolen property, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Mkhwanazi explained that the investigation was hampered by serious challenges. Investigators were threatened, and allegations of bribery emerged against a magistrate involved in the matter.
“Through forensic analysis, those firearms were linked with multiple other murders, other than the one that (of) Mr Swart,” he testified.
He added that the forensic investigation revealed the accused’s involvement in a web of organised crime, funded by substantial payments.
Bail decision raises alarm
Despite opposition from SAPS, Tau was granted bail of R10,000, with the court citing health reasons. Mkhwanazi said this decision deeply unsettled investigators.
“This sparked great concern among the investigators; they started fearing for their lives, and threats to their lives started escalating. The threats were coming verbally and others physically; others were being followed around,” he said.
According to Mkhwanazi, a senior prosecutor in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) even requested protection for two investigating officers after threats intensified.
The prosecutor’s letter, tabled before the commission, noted that the investigation into Swart’s killing had exposed links to a Transnet whistle-blower who had reported corrupt dealings worth millions of rand.
Firearms, cellphone data, and a murder-for-hire scheme
Evidence collected by the task team showed that the firearm used in Swart’s assassination was connected to several other murders and violent crimes. Cellphone records further revealed that the accused were tied to high-profile organised crime figures and had carefully planned their operations.
“The investigation has proved that all three accused are involved in a serious organised crime incident, of which a million rand was offered for the assassination in this regard,” Mkhwanazi told the commission.
The prosecutor’s letter also flagged concern about the magistrate’s decision to grant bail to Tau, describing it as “bizarre and unexplainable”.
Commission cautioned on sensitive evidence
Advocate Mahlape Sello SC, leading evidence at the commission, reminded proceedings that some details could not yet be shared in public.
“The witness makes the point that the bulk of information that informs the commission relies on ongoing investigation and, therefore, that would not be discussed publicly as that would adversely affect the investigation,” she said.
Sello confirmed that Mkhwanazi had assured the commission that a full disclosure of sensitive evidence would be made during an in-camera session, where corroborating witnesses would also be called to testify.
Inquiry continues
The inquiry, chaired by Justice Madlanga, is expected to continue hearing testimony throughout the week. Mkhwanazi is set to return to the stand on Thursday, as the commission begins to peel back the layers of what appears to be a complex web of political violence, criminal syndicates, and alleged interference in South Africa’s justice system.
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