In a decisive move to combat a surge in politically motivated killings, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced the establishment of a dedicated task team on Wednesday, aimed at investigating politically motivated murders within the province. This initiative will focus on cases dating back to 2010, as Lesufi highlighted the perception of a coordinated syndicate targeting government officials.
During the announcement, Lesufi expressed hope that lessons drawn from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will inform the operations of the newly formed team. “What asserts me is that it’s parallel with the commission. It’s going to run parallel with the parliament that is dealing with this matter, which simply means that we are going to draw lessons from those institutions and therefore it will serve as a guide,” he stated. This approach aims to ensure that the inquiry operates without political interference or external bias.
Lesufi underscored the importance of adequately resourcing the task team to fulfil its mission effectively. “Let’s have the resources that are needed clearly identified so that people must not be constrained because they don’t have resources. It should also be in a position to insulate from unnecessary influence or bias,” he noted. By ensuring that the team is well-equipped, the government hopes to foster public trust and confidence in the investigative process.
The Premier also reassured the public about the clarity in the team’s terms of reference, indicating that the guidelines have been crafted to garner broad acceptance. This transparency is especially crucial, given the sensitive nature of the cases the task team will tackle.
The formation of this task team acknowledges a disturbing trend in Gauteng and aims to address the serious implications of political violence not only for the democratic process but also for the safety and wellbeing of public officials.