Political Killings Task Team Snafu: Was it a Smokescreen?
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry heard startling testimony from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. What initially appeared to be an attempt to dismantle the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in KwaZulu-Natal was, in fact, a diversion.
Mkhwanazi revealed that his investigations point to the real target being the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence operation, spearheaded by provincial Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo.
Fraud, Corruption, and a Gauteng Drug Cartel
Khumalo, along with six others, found themselves in handcuffs in June, facing charges of fraud and corruption linked to the appointment of Dineo Mokwele, allegedly an unqualified civilian, to a high-ranking position within the SAPS. The case took a bizarre turn when a magistrate imposed unusual bail conditions.
According to Mkhwanazi's testimony, the magistrate presiding over Khumalo's case played a key role in undermining the Gauteng unit. The magistrate granted bail to five of the accused, including Khumalo, but with conditions that raised eyebrows.
"The bail condition imposed by the magistrate explicitly barred these members, arrested for facilitating Mokwele's appointment, from entering any Crime Intelligence premises anywhere in South Africa," Mkhwanazi stated. He emphasized that this restriction wasn't requested by the state but was the magistrate's own decision.
Crippling Counter-Intelligence: A Calculated Move?
Mkhwanazi believes this was a deliberate attempt to paralyze the Gauteng counter-intelligence operation, which, at the time, was actively investigating a powerful drug cartel operating within the province.
"This team, deeply involved in the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence operation, is now barred by a magistrate from engaging or accessing any Crime Intelligence facilities. This effectively halts their ongoing operation," Mkhwanazi explained.
The implications of these events are significant, raising questions about potential interference in crucial investigations and the integrity of the judicial process. The investigation is ongoing.