SAPS head confirms 121 KZN political killing cases sat idle in Pretoria | Madlanga Commission

Lieutenant General Mary Motsepe, head of the Serious and Violent Crime Division, initially denied that the KZN PKTT 121 dockets had been left untouched in Pretoria, but later admitted they went uninvestigated for about three months.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, Motsepe defended her statement by saying inspections and itineraries were done, but not actual investigations.

“The dockets were not gathering dust because these dockets were only three months here with us—approximately, maybe three months. And then, in March and April, the itineraries were completed.

“When General [Nhlanhla] Mkhwanazi refused the dockets, the National Commissioner [Fannie Masemola] said that General [Shadrack] Sibiya must use his own discretion.

So, also the inspections which we conducted,” Motsepe said, this showed that something was done in the dockets.

The dockets were transferred from the PKTT to the SAPS national headquarters in Pretoria during March and April 2025, on the instruction of the now-suspended Sibiya.

According to Mkhwanazi, the dockets were irregularly removed and subsequently left “gathering dust” in Pretoria, effectively stalling investigations and shielding individuals with political connections.

It has since emerged that at least five of these dockets contained directives for immediate arrests, none of which were executed.

In total, 121 dockets relate to political killings and attempted murders, including cases involving murdered councillors, political office-bearers, and traditional leaders in KZN.

The motives behind many of these crimes are reportedly linked to competition for tenders, corruption, and broader political power struggles.

Commissioner, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, asked Motsepe if she would admit that if even a general worker, had picked up the dockets and dusted them off every day, there would still be gathering dust because they were investigated.

Motsepe’s response was “I will accept that commissioner”.

During the proceedings, Motsepe also said she did not know why the dockets were removed from KZN and sent to her office, stating that she was never notified.

According to her, she was told that the dockets were only sent to the head office for auditing and would be moved back to KZN.

All this came after the suspended Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, called for the disbandment of the PKTT, arguing that their work had no value and impact anymore. 

Meanwhile, in August 2025, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola directed that the dockets be returned to the KZN PKTT to resume active investigation.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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