President Cyril Ramaphosa has been given a confidential police report exposing major failures in South Africa’s elite political killings task team. The unit, which has cost taxpayers over R300 million in three years, has produced few convictions despite its mandate to tackle assassinations.
The report reveals poor coordination, bureaucratic delays and alleged political interference have crippled investigations. It comes amid a power struggle between suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi over the team’s leadership.
“Political killings continue while this expensive unit fails to deliver results,” said a presidency insider. The report highlights particular failures in violence-plagued provinces like KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
Security experts warn the unit’s collapse threatens South Africa’s stability. “Without effective policing, hitmen operate freely, undermining democracy,” said one analyst. The presidency is considering drastic reforms, possibly replacing the team with an independent judicial commission.
Civil society groups are demanding immediate action, fearing worsening violence ahead of local elections. The report leaves Ramaphosa facing mounting pressure to fix South Africa’s broken system for investigating political murders.