New team of experts tackle KZN killings
– A new team of experienced police officers and state prosecutors have been appointed to continue the investigation into political killings in KwaZulu-Natal, Minister of Police Bheki Cele said yesterday.
“The team has 118 new members plus eight members retained from the previous task team,” Cele said in Durban.
“They includes seasoned and experienced detectives from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Western Cape. The team comprises 126 members and is led by acting provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General
Cape Town
Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Brigadiers Obed Ngwenya and SD Khumalo.”
The National Prosecuting Authority had seconded 16 “seasoned prosecutors” to ensure proper case management and effective prosecutions.
Six people were arrested two weeks ago in connection with political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. Two firearms were recovered and have been linked to eight cases, the minister said.
He said this was part of a national drive to bring stability to all provinces in terms of crime.
Since June, police had arrested 512 suspects in KwaZulu-Natal for the illegal possession of firearms and seized 706 illegal firearms, including semi-automatic rifles, high calibre rifles, homemade guns and a total of 6 045 rounds of ammunition.
The task team was established after President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered Cabinet’s security cluster in May to ensure the prosecution of all high-profile and political murder cases in the province.
This followed the murder of ANC activist Musawenkosi Mchunu, who had spoken out about municipal corruption, in Pietermaritzburg on May 11. – ANA