Witnesses ‘too scared to testify’

Some won’t even consider police protection

Witnesses in politically related killings in KwaZulu-Natal are refusing to be part of the witness protection unit, making it difficult for the police to solve the crimes.

According to a document presented to police top brass in KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend, police conceded they were facing challenges in dealing with these cases.

“Witnesses are being threatened or even killed should they come forward, and some refuse to enter [the] witness protection programme. There is also poor cooperation from office bearers pertaining to threats,” read the report.

However, police ministry spokesman Vuyo Mhaga said they were satisfied with the manner in which members of the community were coming forward with information on the matter.

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula launched a task team to probe all politically-related crimes that occurred from January last year.

Police said the most violent prone and political unstable area is Harry Gwala district municipality. The report has identified Inchanga, Plessislaer, Madadeni and Ezakheni as hot spots for political killings, but all had been stabilised through arrests.

In all the killings, according to the report, only three people were currently under witness protection.

At least nine people linked to the killings have been denied bail in various courts. The task team has to date registered 42 cases, 22 of which were under investigation.

Thirty-five suspects have been arrested for 10 murder cases. Twenty-two are still under investigation, 28 firearms have been seized, while 18 more suspects were appearing in courts.

Institute for Security Studies manager for the crime and justice hub, Lizette Lancaster, said politicians use groups of criminals to execute the assassinations.

“In many instances the attacks are informed by pure factionalism and a fight for positions and tenders.

“Witnesses refuse to take part in the cases because they can’t trust anyone. They are not certain whether police and prosecutors can be trusted,” she said.

Police have also said testimonies by witnesses before the Moerane Commission might prejudice pending cases.

/ JACKIE CLAUSEN Thandazile Khumalo testifies at the Moerane Commission. Her husband Mbhekiseni was a councillor killed in a hit outside his KwaZulu-Natal home.