KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been asked by the MKP to deploy the PKTT to Umzimkhulu.
Image: SAPS
With a few months to the local government elections in the country, a senior member of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in Parliament, Sibonelo Nomvalo, has called for the deployment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in Umzimkhulu.
On Wednesday, Nomvalo, who is also a leader of the MKP MPs in the Ad Hoc Committee that was appointed to probe Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive allegations of corruption within the criminal justice system, wrote to Mkhwanazi asking for the deployment of the PKTT or a specialised unit to investigate and prevent the renewal of political killings in Umzimkhulu.
“I write on behalf of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) to respectfully request the urgent deployment of either the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) or an appropriate specialised investigative unit to the Umzimkhulu area in KwaZulu-Natal.
“As the country approaches the forthcoming local government elections, tensions within the area appear to be escalating. Of particular concern are reports and threats that have recently been directed towards members and activists of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party operating in Umzimkhulu. These developments have raised serious concerns regarding the safety and security of our members and supporters,” writes Nomvalo.
The member of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development cited the intimidation and threats, which he said are directed towards the MKP members in the area, which has a history of political killings.
Nomvalo, who is also MKP secretary-general and comes from Umzimkhulu, warned that it would be irresponsible to wait until lives are lost before preventative measures are taken.
“Our request is therefore not in response to a political killing that has already occurred, but rather a plea for proactive intervention aimed at preventing violence, protecting lives, and preserving the integrity of the democratic process. The visible presence and intervention of a specialised unit would not only assist in assessing the credibility of the threats received but would also serve as a deterrent against those who may seek to use violence and intimidation as political tools.”
He assured Mkhwanazi that he and party members remain available to provide any further information that may assist police in their investigation.
Mkhwanazi or the police provincial spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, has not responded or confirmed receipt of the letter.
Umzimkhulu has, over a prolonged period, been associated with a troubling history of politically motivated violence and assassinations.
The area has repeatedly experienced incidents of political intimidation, conflict, and killings that have undermined democratic participation and created fear among political activists and ordinary community members alike.
The area, in the south of the province, was one of the epicentres of political killings which saw the death of several councillors and political leaders such as Sindiso Magaqa and Khaya Thobela, who was the speaker of Umzimkhulu Local Municipality.
Both were killed in 2017.