Political Killings Task Team

The affidavit discussed a complaint concerning the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), including lavish accommodations, laundry costs amounting to between 400 and 500 thousand, and luxury vehicles bought through the Secret Service slush fund allegedly used by former Minister of Police Cele.

“The document was talking mainly about a complaint about the Political Killings Task Team... how lavish was it, and there was an issue about the laundry and the costs... There was also an issue about luxury vehicles that were bought through the Slush Fund... The vehicles were bought for the PKTT, but the allegation were that the vehicles were utilized by the former Minister of Police, Minister Cele.”

The complaint included allegations of a cover-up regarding political killings investigations, specifically mentioning Sergeant Dumisani Dlamini and the late Sindiso Magaqa and improper investigations by the PKTT.

“The information that was there regarding the political investigation was...a complaint about the cover-up of some sorts on cases that were mentioned...I remember the name of Sergeant Dumisani Dlamini and... the late Sindiso Magaqa's name was also there... a complaint to say something like a cover-up or improper investigation...”

Sergeant Dumisani Dlamini was portrayed as a victim of the PKTT team.

“it looked like he was portrayed as a victim of the PKTT team.”

The Investigating Director (ID) gave evidence indicating that the PKTT was not part of the ongoing investigations referred to in section 27, which was in conflict with the complaint document seen by Mr. Raphesu.

“the ID gave evidence relating to the investigations that were ongoing and she mentioned that the PKTT was not part of the investigation... I was shocked because the section 27 that I saw that information was there.”

The flighted affidavit detailed allegations of alleged criminal conduct by the Political Killings Task Team, including procurement of vehicles and excessive budget for laundry using the Secret Service account, which were not in the Section 27 affidavit given on 5 December 2024.

“multiple allegations of alleged criminal conduct by the Political Killings Task Team, such as procurement of vehicles, excessive budget for laundry using the Secret Service account. This is not mentioned on the 27 flighted.”

Vehicles procured for the Political Killings Task Team were being used for the personal use of former Minister of Police Mr Cele, not mentioned in the flighted affidavit.

“Vehicles that were procured for the PKTT being used by the former Minister of Police, Mr Cele, for his personal use. This is also not on the one that is flighted.”

There were numerous media articles and social media posts about the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) from January 1, 2025 to April 15, 2025.

“there were numerous articles in broadcast, electronic print, online ... and even social media posts on the subject and the period is from 1 January 2025 ... the wide coverage covers the period up to 15 April 2025”

Advocate Johnson confirmed he followed media publications and had seen publications about the controversial disbandment of the PKTT.

“you said that you do follow media publications, so you must have seen publications around the disbandment of the PKTT ... And you would also have seen that it was a controversial subject, correct?”

Advocate Johnson's reasoning that the deviation applied throughout the entire complement of the PKTT is not sensible because paragraph 6 of Annexure B addresses the entire PKTT complement, not just deviations.

“6 is about the entire complement of the PKTT ... You would have to be suggesting deviation applied throughout the entire PKTT complement, which simply does not make sense.”

ADV Johnson indicated that he learned for the first time in the Commission on 6 January 2025 that the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) was under investigation or inquiry.

“you indicate that you learned for the first time in this Commission yesterday that there was a complaint regarding PKTT”

ADV Johnson signed off a summons on 3 April 2025 enquiring into promotions of commanders and members of the PKTT through deviation.

“on the 3rd of April 2025, you signed off a summons enquiring into promotions of commanders and members of the PKTT through deviation”

ADV Johnson stated he had been made aware of the PKTT investigation in the briefing for the summons but first saw details in the affidavit during the Commission.

“I have been made aware. In the briefing for the summons, I would have been made aware”

ADV Johnson clarified he had no prior knowledge of PKTT being a subject of inquiry by IDAC before seeing the affidavit on 6 January 2025, a discrepancy from being aware in the summons briefing.

“in the affidavit, yes. I had not seen that in the affidavit ... I had not seen that ...”

ADV Johnson authorised a section 28 summons dated 3 April 2025 requesting all documents related to promotions of commanders and members of the PKTT despite his claim of first learning about PKTT investigations only in January 2025.

“as of the 3rd of April 2025, as per the section 28 summons ... you authorised that documentation be sought and obtained regarding promotions of the commanders and members of the Political Task Team, Political Killings Task Team”

Commissioner Khumalo asked why IDAC was investigating promotions and appointments within the PKTT and what interest IDAC had in the PKTT.

“What was IDAC's interest in the PKTT?”

ADV Johnson stated he could not recall asking about the PKTT as the PKTT but asked questions around applications and promotions related to commanders and members.

“I can honestly not recall asking them about the PKTT as the PKTT. I would have asked questions around the applications”

ADV Johnson in the Ad Hoc Committee said he knew nothing about the PKTT, its activities, reporting lines, and actual work, stating it was not within his knowledge and purview.

“I know nothing about the PKTT. Keep that in mind when you explain, when you give your answer”

No investigation existed into the Political Killings Task Team at the time of signing the document; the project manager and Mr. Padayachee confirmed this fact.

“we do not have one into the Political Killings Task Team. The project manager ... confirms the same, as does Mr Padayachee”

The summons requested documents pertaining to General Khumalo's appointment and the documentary files of promotions of commanders and members of the Political Killings Task Team.

“the summons, the section 28 you signed, requesting documents pertaining to General Khumalo's appointment and the documentary files of promotions of commanders and members of the Political Killings Task Team”

A summons wanted details of all members of the Political Killings Task Team involved in the arrest of Mr Adams.

“this summons that wanted details of all members of PKTT who were involved in the arrest of Mr Adams”

The arrest of Mr Adams by PKTT was associated with the Mokwele criminal matter already enrolled in court, causing confusion about the investigation reference number used.

“what does the arrest of Mr Adams have to do, by PKTT, have to do with the Mokwele criminal matter that was already enrolled and in court?”

There is an allegation that secret service funds were used to purchase resources for the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) base in KwaZulu-Natal, benefiting Mr Bheki Cele and others.

“it was alleged that secret service funds were used to purchase resources for the Political Killings Task Team base in KwaZulu-Natal Province ... resources procured under the banner of the task team were for the benefit of Mr BH Cele and others”

It is false to suggest Lieutenant General Khumalo was arrested because he was the coordinator of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

“I would be remiss if I do not dismiss the suggestion that Lieutenant General Khumalo was arrested because he was the coordinator of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). This suggestion is anything but true. It is false as it is unfortunate.”

The fact that Lieutenant General Khumalo held a portfolio related to the PKTT was unknown to the investigating body and irrelevant to his arrest.

“The fact that Lieutenant General Khumalo also held another portfolio in relation to the PKTT was not within our knowledge. At no stage was I, as the Head of IDAC, aware that Lieutenant General Khumalo had anything to do with the PKTT, let alone being its convener. In any event, even had I been aware of same, such would have been irrelevant because of the reasons for his arrest.”