A criminologist says an instruction by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu that the task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal be disbanded immediately, is likely to erode the credibility of law enforcement in the province.
The instruction was given in a memorandum to police commissioners on the 31st of December.
Mchunu says there is no longer a need for the task team.
There were 134 cases linked to political violence reported in the province between 2011 and 2018 before the task team was formed.
University of KwaZulu-Natal criminologist, Professor Nirmal Gopal says, “I think for me the concern is that we are going to see the decrease in public trust and confidence in as far law enforcement agencies is concerned in the country. Premature disbandment of this particular task team is gonna have huge effects in terms of how society start to engage law enforcement agencies, how we start to view the govt because it is a strategic move in terms of the government. So, I think those things become very critical for us.”
Political analyst from the Nelson Mandela University, Professor Bheki Mngomezulu, believes the task team should have been better equipped, instead of being disbanded as political parties prepare for local government elections in 2026.
“The decision by Mchunu to disband the task team is raising a lot of questions and is going to have a serious impact on the councillors, more especially given the fact that 2026 local government elections are around the corner. If indeed the primary intensions is not changed then the question becomes why would it be necessary to disband the task team, especially at this time. The task team should have been beefed up, better capacitated and better resourced as opposed to disbanding it. Hopefully, the minister will rescind the decision and in line with what is happening now in 2025 as political parties and independent candidates prepare for local government elections,” says Mngomezulu.
