By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced on Wednesday that the province will, for the first time, set up a dedicated task team to look into political killings.
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg following the Gauteng Executive Council (Exco) Lekgotla, Lesufi said the African National Congress (ANC), the party he represents, has noted a concerning rise in political killings across the province.
The ANC leads the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in the province.
“In the last three months, the ANC observed and noted the number of political killings in our province. We’ve lost countless councillors, government officials, and staff members employed by local government agencies or state institutions,”he said.
Leaufi said that the party does not believe these killings are coincidental.
“It was the view of the ANC that these killings are not innocent. I was tasked with engaging the Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, to compile a database of unresolved cases dating back to 2010,” he said.
“Based on the information we’ve gathered, we believe there is a need for a dedicated, province-based political killings task team operating within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies.”
Following consultations with Minister Cachalia and provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, Lesufi welcomed the subsequent announcement by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who confirmed the formation of the task team.
“This specialised unit will investigate and resolve high-profile and politically sensitive cases in Gauteng. The unit will be launched in the next four weeks,” Lesufi said.
Gauteng has recorded numerous politically linked murders in recent years, similar to trends seen in other provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal.
Lesufi also said the Gauteng government and the province’s mayors briefed International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola on the province’s G20 Summit preparations.
“We have repaired 1,523 potholes, with the project now 97% complete. Work is 40% complete on the 456 road markings scheduled for refresh.
“Repairs on 64 traffic signals are halfway complete at 50%, and repairs for 21,274 streetlights are well underway, with 74% of the work completed.” Lesufi said.
In March this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa conducted a two-day oversight visit to Johannesburg, aimed at addressing service delivery challenges in the metro.
Ramaphosa criticised the country’s declining economic hub state – as the city prepares to host the G20 leaders’ summit in November.
South Africa will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit on 22 and 23 November 2025 in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province. The Summit will take place under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”