EFF MP Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has raised serious concerns about the handling of political killings cases in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), arguing that the current approach undermines proper investigation. According to him, the problem lies in the fact that the case dockets are physically located in Pretoria while the crimes themselves occurred in KZN. This creates an administrative and logistical contradiction that compromises the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing these politically motivated murders. Ndlozi describes this as the “central conundrum” in the fight against political violence in the province.
He argues that the government’s decision-making around the disbandment of the KZN-based Political Killings Task Team adds further complexity to the matter. If the unit is dissolved, the dockets would have to be returned to the local police stations where the cases were originally opened. This, however, raises the risk of poor coordination and potential manipulation at a local level, where many of the political tensions are deeply rooted. Ndlozi suggests that without a clear and consistent structure, the investigations may end up in limbo.
The broader implication of his warning is that any attempt to centralize investigations far away from the communities where crimes are committed not only delays justice but also gives room for interference and inefficiency. Political killings in KZN remain a pressing crisis that has claimed dozens of lives over the years, with investigations often criticized for being slow and inconclusive. By moving dockets to Pretoria, the state appears to be creating more distance between investigators and the lived realities of witnesses, victims, and the local political environment.
Ndlozi concludes that unless the state develops a coherent and practical framework for handling these cases, the investigations will collapse altogether. “Unless of course, you intend to shut down the investigations,” he remarked, suggesting that the current arrangements may be deliberately designed to stifle accountability. His statement reflects a deep distrust in the government’s commitment to resolving political violence in KZN, further highlighting the urgent need for a functional and transparent investigative mechanism that keeps the dockets and detectives close to the communities affected.
