Witnesses Defend Disbanded Political Killings Task Team, “They Were Doing a Good Job”

Cassel Mathale and Solomon Modisane back the PKTT.

by Mathipa Phishego

Key witnesses appearing before the Madlanga Commission have come out in strong defence of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), questioning the reasons behind its sudden disbandment and praising its effectiveness in tackling politically motivated assassinations.

Forensic expert Captain Solomon Modisane, who worked closely with the team, told the commission that the PKTT was highly committed to its mandate. “We worked well with the PKTT. We would work until late and finish the cases,” Modisane said, describing the team as professional and results-driven.

Echoing his sentiments, Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale expressed disbelief at the directive to dissolve the task team. “We found it odd that they were being disbanded because no one had raised any issues with their work. They were doing a good job in dealing with political killings,” Mathale said.

The comments come amid public concern over the surge in political assassinations across several provinces and growing criticism of the decision to disband the task team without clear explanation.

Established to investigate politically linked murders, the PKTT had handled numerous high-profile cases involving councillors, activists, and whistle-blowers. Its sudden dissolution has raised fears of stalled investigations and weakened state response to political violence.

The testimonies highlight deep divisions within the police ministry and call for greater transparency in how political killings are investigated in South Africa.