Political Killings Crisis, Corruption SAPS & Courage

A Commissioner’s Courage: Political Killings Crisis, Corruption SAPS & Courage

South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province has been a battleground for political violence, with assassinations and targeted killings casting a shadow over the democratic process. At the heart of this storm stands Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KZN Provincial Commissioner, whose resolve to tackle these political killings crisis has placed him in the crosshairs of powerful forces.

This article explores Mkhwanazi’s allegations of interference. It delves into the mysterious figure of Brown Mokosi. The piece also examines the murky web of corruption threatening to undermine the South African Police Service (SAPS). With a focus on the political killings crisis, we explore the creation of a specialised task team. We also discuss attempts to disband it. The situation has broader implications for institutional integrity and public safety.

The Political Killings Crisis

KZN has long been plagued by political violence, earning it the grim distinction of being South Africa’s epicentre for politically motivated murders. Since 2011, over 300 political figures, including ward councillors, party leaders, and activists, have been killed in the province. The political killings crisis has destabilised communities, eroded trust in governance, and challenged the SAPS to respond effectively. These murders are often linked to intra-party rivalries, tender disputes, and organised crime syndicates vying for control over lucrative municipal contracts.

Mkhwanazi’s fight is not just for KZN but for the soul of South Africa’s democracy.

Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, appointed as KZN’s Provincial Commissioner, has made combating this political killings crisis a priority. His leadership shows a commitment to rooting out corruption within the SAPS. He also focuses on addressing the systemic issues that enable such violence. Nonetheless, his efforts have faced resistance from external criminal elements. Resistance also comes from within the very institutions meant to uphold justice.

Birth of the Political Killings Task

Team The SAPS responded to the escalating political killings crisis by establishing the Political Killings Task Team in KZN. They did this under a directive from the president. This specialised unit comprises seasoned detectives and crime intelligence officers. It was tasked with investigating cases linked to political violence and prosecuting them. Unlike other provinces, KZN’s unique challenge necessitated this dedicated team, which operates under Mkhwanazi’s oversight.

The task team’s formation was a direct response to the province’s alarming rate of political assassinations. By 2023, the team had become a critical tool in stabilising KZN, working to dismantle networks responsible for these killings. Their mandate extended beyond arrests to uncovering the underlying motives often tied to corruption, tender fraud, and organised crime.

Task Team Performance – The Numbers Don’t Lie

The Political Killings Task Team has delivered measurable results. Since its inception, it has made over 150 arrests linked to the political killings crisis. Seventy percent of cases have resulted in convictions. In 2024 alone, the team investigated 45 new cases, securing 32 convictions and recovering 68 illegal firearms. These figures underscore the team’s effectiveness in disrupting criminal networks and bringing perpetrators to justice.

Beyond arrests, the task team has provided critical intelligence to prevent planned hits, saving countless lives. Their work has also exposed links between political killings and broader criminal enterprises, including drug trafficking and contract fraud. Despite these successes, the team’s efforts have angered those who profit from the chaos. These beneficiaries of chaos thrive on the political killings crisis.

The Disbandment Order Constitutional Crisis

In a shocking development, Mkhwanazi revealed that a letter was circulated in 2024. The letter allegedly came from the Minister of Police. It called for the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. The letter surfaced in the media. It was not addressed to Mkhwanazi, nor was he consulted. This situation raises serious questions about transparency and accountability. This move, Mkhwanazi argues, forms a constitutional crisis. It undermines the National Commissioner’s authority under Section 207 of the South African Constitution. This section mandates provincial oversight of policing.

The timing of the disbandment order issued while the National Commissioner was on leave further fuels suspicions of ulterior motives. Mkhwanazi suggests that someone highly influential “whispered” to the minister. The intention was to halt investigations that implicate high-profile individuals or syndicates. The political killings crisis has long been intertwined with powerful interests. Disbanding the task team would effectively derail progress in addressing it.

Brown Mokosi The Shadow Operative

Central to this saga is Brown Mokosi, a mysterious figure who contacted Mkhwanazi via WhatsApp on 30 September 2024. Mokosi claims proximity to the minister. He sent Mkhwanazi an unsigned factual report. He also sent an occurrence book (OB) entry related to an attempted arrest of a prison official. These documents, meant for internal SAPS use, raised alarms about how a civilian obtained such sensitive information. Mokosi’s messages hinted at an “internal effort to discredit” Mkhwanazi. They referenced the political killings crisis and a confidential crime intelligence presentation.

Mkhwanazi’s attempts to verify Mokosi’s identity revealed he was not a SAPS member but a politician from the Northwest. The Chief of Staff confirmed Mokosi’s closeness to the Minister, yet his possession of classified documents suggests deeper institutional leaks. Mokosi’s cryptic communications urge confidentiality. They reference meetings in Lusikisiki during a ministerial visit. These clues point to a shadowy operative with access to sensitive intelligence.

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala – The R360 Million Contract. Mokosi’s messages also alluded to a controversial R360 million contract. This contract is linked to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. He is a figure allegedly involved in tender fraud within the Department of Correctional Services. This contract, tied to prison infrastructure, has been flagged for irregularities, with investigations pointing to kickbacks and collusion. The political killings crisis often intersects with such financial motives, as control over tenders fuels violence in KZN.

Mkhwanazi’s response to Mokosi highlighted the complexities of the Correctional Services case. He noted that illicit goods were found in a dustbin outside a senior official’s residence. These goods were used to justify charges. However, he argued that blaming the tenant was malicious and unlikely to hold up in court. This case underscores how the political killings crisis worsens due to systemic corruption. Powerful players manipulate legal processes to protect their interests.

Gauteng Operations Unmasking the Syndicate

The Political Killings Task Team’s investigations have extended beyond KZN. They are assisting Gauteng detectives in probing a syndicate linked to political murders. These operations have uncovered connections to senior SAPS officers, including a brigadier, raising concerns about institutional capture. The task team’s work in Gauteng has focused on high-profile murder cases. These cases were previously “squashed.” This suggests interference from within the SAPS or external forces.

Mkhwanazi’s refusal to back down from these investigations has made him a target. He alleges that attempts to discredit him come from his role as a presiding officer. He handled a disciplinary hearing involving General Khan, a senior officer who was cleared of charges. The political killings crisis has exposed fault lines within the SAPS, with factions seemingly protecting their own.

The Drug Cartel Connection A disturbing thread in the political killings crisis is its link to drug cartels operating in KZN and Gauteng. The task team’s investigations have revealed that political assassinations are often funded by drug money, with cartels collaborating with corrupt officials to eliminate rivals. This nexus of crime and politics threatens to destabilise not only KZN but the entire country.

Mkhwanazi’s outspokenness about these connections has drawn attention to the broader issue of institutional capture. Those involved in the drug trade target the task team. They seek to protect their operations. These operations generate billions in illicit revenue. The political killings crisis is thus not merely a local issue but part of a larger battle against organised crime.

Institutional Capture – How Deep Does It Go?

The allegations of institutional capture within the SAPS are chilling. Mkhwanazi claims that some elements within the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) are working to undermine investigations. He also suggests that Crime Intelligence is involved in undermining these investigations into the political killings crisis. The IPID’s sudden probe into General Khan, despite his clearance, raises questions about its motives. Was this an effort to silence a whistleblower or protect those implicated in corruption?

The unsigned factual report is in Mokosi’s possession. The OB entry points to leaks within Crime Intelligence. This unit is meant to safeguard sensitive information. Mkhwanazi’s concerns about institutional capture highlight a systemic issue. How can the SAPS fight crime when its own structures are compromised?

IDAC Anti-Corruption Unit or Political Tool?

The Integrated Disciplinary and Anti-Corruption (IDAC) unit, meant to root out corruption within the SAPS, has itself come under scrutiny. Mkhwanazi questions whether IDAC is being used as a political tool to target officers who challenge the status quo. The unit’s role in initiating charges against General Khan, despite weak evidence, suggests selective enforcement.

The political killings crisis has exposed tensions between anti-corruption efforts and political agendas. Mkhwanazi’s refusal to bow to pressure underscores his commitment to fairness. It also highlights the challenges of reforming a system riddled with competing interests.

The Parliamentary Deception Mkhwanazi’s appearance before Parliament revealed further layers of deception. He informed MPs about Mokosi’s claims and the minister’s alleged involvement. Later, he learned that the minister denied any communication with IPID on the matter. The political killings crisis has reached the legislative arena. Parliamentarians are now grappling with the implications of a compromised police service. The lack of transparency around the disbandment order and Mokosi’s access to classified documents raises questions about accountability. Mkhwanazi’s courage in speaking out has forced a reckoning. Still, it remains to be seen whether Parliament will act. Will they address this constitutional crisis?

Crime Intelligence Crisis

The Crime Intelligence crisis is a critical piece of the puzzle. Mokosi’s possession of a crime intelligence presentation slide suggests either gross negligence or deliberate leaks. Crime Intelligence, tasked with gathering sensitive data to combat crime, appears vulnerable to manipulation. This breach undermines public trust and jeopardises efforts to address the political killings crisis.

Mkhwanazi’s call for accountability within Crime Intelligence is a plea for systemic reform. Without a robust and independent intelligence unit, the SAPS can’t effectively tackle organised crime or political violence.

The political killings crisis is not merely a local issue but part of a larger battle against organised crime.

Media Verification and Public Response The media’s role in amplifying the political killings crisis has been a blessing. Yet, it has also been a curse. While investigative journalism has exposed corruption, misinformation has also muddied the waters. Mkhwanazi’s decision to go public with Mokosi’s messages was a calculated move to counter false narratives. Public response has been mixed, with some praising his bravery and others accusing him of stirring controversy.

Verification of Mokosi’s claims remains challenging. The Chief of Staff’s confirmation of his proximity to the Minister adds credibility. There is a lack of concrete evidence. This missing evidence fuels speculation about the Minister’s involvement in the disbandment order. The political killings crisis demands transparency, yet the truth remains elusive.

Constitutional and Legal Implications

The try to disband the Political Killings Task Team without consulting Mkhwanazi violates constitutional principles. Section 207 mandates that the National Commissioner, in consultation with provincial authorities, oversee policing. Bypassing this process undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent.

The political killings crisis also raises legal questions about the SAPS’s ability to function independently. If external forces can influence investigations, the integrity of the justice system is at stake. Mkhwanazi’s fight is not just for KZN but for the soul of South Africa’s democracy.

Conclusion Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s battle against the political killings crisis is a testament to his courage and commitment to justice. Facing pressure from within and without, he has exposed a web of corruption that threatens to engulf the SAPS. The mysterious Brown Mokosi, the questionable disbandment order, and the spectre of institutional capture paint a troubling picture. Yet, Mkhwanazi remains undeterred, standing firm in his duty to protect South Africans.

As the political killings crisis continues, the nation watches to see whether truth and justice will prevail. Mkhwanazi’s story is a clarion call for reform, transparency, and accountability. The road ahead is fraught. However, with leaders like him, there is hope that South Africa can overcome this dark chapter.