Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announces the formation of a Political Killings Task Team to curb politically motivated murders in the province. Image Credit: EWN.
(The Post News)– Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced the formation of the Political Killings Task Team that will investigate politically motivated murders in the province, dating back to 2010. This decisive move is designed to bring an end to the cycle of violence that has plagued communities and to restore public confidence in the justice system.
Lesufi made the announcement on Wednesday, emphasizing that the Political Killings Task Team will be modeled in part on lessons learned from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which dealt with similar matters. His remarks were both urgent and visionary, as he underlined the need for a coordinated, well-resourced approach to stop the wave of targeted killings of government officials.
Lesufi said that the decision to create the Political Killings Task Team followed careful observation of the organized network behind these murders. He noted that the numbers in these political killings are “shocking,” and “they are still trickling in.”
Drawing Lessons from the Madlanga Commission
Lesufi stressed that this new initiative will not work in isolation but will draw inspiration from past efforts, making reference to the Madlanga Commission.
By learning from the Madlanga Commission, the Political Killings Task Team aims to avoid mistakes of the past and focus on actionable solutions. This step shows a commitment to creating a robust and effective process that is free from political bias.
A major theme in Lesufi’s announcement was the need to shield the Political Killings Task Team from undue influence. According to Lesufi, to prevent people from being restricted due to a lack of resources, they need to clearly identify the resources that are required. Additionally, he said that the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team should be able to shield against unwarranted bias or influence.
This is crucial, as political interference has historically derailed investigations, allowing perpetrators to evade justice. By making independence a priority, Lesufi is signaling that this task team will be empowered to investigate without fear or favor.
Resourcing the Task Team
Lesufi acknowledged the financial and operational challenges that often hamper investigations in South Africa. He said their approach was establishing a task team while also ensuring that it is properly resourced, there is no misunderstanding because the terms of reference are unambiguous, and they may set a deadline to end the hour. He added that they are pleased to be on that path.
Adequate funding, skilled investigators, and logistical support will be key to ensuring that the task team can function effectively and deliver results that restore trust in law enforcement. While this is a provincial initiative, Lesufi made it clear that it will complement national efforts. “It’s going to run parallel with the parliament that is dealing with this matter,” he said, pointing out that collaboration is necessary for comprehensive solutions.
This step ensures that findings from the Political Killings Task Team are aligned with national policies and that any recommendations can be implemented across multiple spheres of government.
One of the most significant promises made by Lesufi was to set strict deadlines for the task team. This move is intended to prevent the process from dragging on indefinitely. “The terms of reference are clear, so there’s no confusion, and we can be in a position to give a deadline to conclude the hour,” he stated.
A Bold Step Toward Justice
The establishment of the Political Killings Task Team comes at a time when public confidence in the justice system is fragile. Many families have waited years for answers about the murder of their loved ones.
Lesufi’s announcement provides a glimmer of hope that things may finally change. “Unfortunately, you know, the police currently in our country are going through difficulties of commissions, misinterpretation of mandates, and many other things. We didn’t want to be dragged there,” he said, stressing the importance of acting now to prevent more lives from being lost.
The creation of the Political Killings Task Team could mark a turning point for Gauteng. By resourcing it properly, shielding it from interference, and setting clear objectives, Lesufi and his administration are signaling their commitment to ending the cycle of violence.
This initiative has the potential to not only bring justice to the victims’ families but also to restore faith in the province’s ability to tackle politically motivated crime head-on.
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