Madlanga Commission Reveals Serious Shortcomings in Political Killings Investigations
During the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, shocking revelations have emerged regarding the handling of political killings cases in KwaZulu-Natal. Major-General Mary Motsepe, head of the South African Police Service (SAPS) component for serious and violent crime investigation, concluded her testimony on Monday, highlighting severe deficiencies in the way certain cases were managed.
Motsepe disclosed that an audit of at least 121 dockets investigated by the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) revealed numerous shortcomings. These deficiencies were discovered earlier this year during a thorough review at SAPS national headquarters, which aimed to ensure that ongoing investigations were being handled correctly and efficiently.
According to Motsepe, the audit revealed discrepancies that could potentially compromise several cases, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness and integrity of the PKTT’s investigative processes. “During the audit, several faults were identified that could compromise some cases,” Motsepe told the Madlanga Commission.
Moving Forward: Lessons from the Madlanga Commission
The dockets were initially sent to SAPS headquarters in March 2025 for auditing purposes and were only returned to the PKTT in August. This five-month period raised questions about the reasons for the prolonged delay and whether it impacted the progress of critical investigations.
Motsepe noted that some cases seemed to have been stalled, sometimes for years, without clear justification. One example she provided involved a case dating back to 2016. Although suspects had been identified via a Section 205 subpoena, they were never arrested. The last recorded activity in the docket was in 2023, yet as of 2025, no further action had been taken.
The testimony before the Madlanga Commission also highlighted procedural failures that prevented certain cases from progressing to court. Motsepe explained that, in some instances, prosecutors’ instructions were not followed, directly contributing to stalled investigations.
She revealed that four cases had been declared nolle prosequi—meaning the prosecution could not continue—because the instructions from the public prosecutor were ignored. These failures underscore a concerning lack of coordination between law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities in politically sensitive cases.
Motsepe admitted that she did not understand why the dockets were sent to SAPS headquarters in the first place. The audit was intended to streamline investigations and address shortcomings, yet its implementation and outcomes raised further questions.
The Madlanga Commission is tasked with investigating whether law enforcement agencies have adequately addressed political killings in KwaZulu-Natal and whether systemic issues have impeded justice. Motsepe’s testimony has added weight to concerns that some cases may have been mishandled or unnecessarily delayed.
The revelations before the Madlanga Commission have serious implications for public trust in South Africa’s criminal justice system. Political killings in KwaZulu-Natal have long been a source of public concern, with victims’ families often waiting years for resolution.
If dockets are mishandled, delayed, or mismanaged, there is a real risk that perpetrators may evade justice, further eroding confidence in law enforcement and the judiciary. Motsepe’s testimony underscores the urgent need for reforms in how politically sensitive cases are investigated and managed.
The testimony of Major-General Motsepe at the Madlanga Commission serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing South Africa’s criminal justice system. Ensuring that all investigative procedures are meticulously followed, prosecutorial instructions are adhered to, and audits are conducted efficiently is critical to restoring public confidence.
The Commission’s work is expected to provide recommendations on how to prevent similar failures in future investigations, particularly those involving politically motivated crimes. Strengthening accountability, improving inter-agency communication, and ensuring timely action on dockets are likely to be central to these recommendations.
In conclusion, the evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission by SAPS’s Major-General Mary Motsepe has revealed serious systemic flaws in the investigation of political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. Addressing these shortcomings is essential for justice, public trust, and the overall integrity of South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Source- EWN
