Harrison slams 'silent disbandment' of Political Killings Task Team
The Director of Public Prosecutions for KwaZulu-Natal, Advocate Elaine Harrison, has delivered damning testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, revealing how the sudden and uncommunicated disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team jeopardised the fight against political violence in the province.
Harrison, who joined the National Prosecuting Authority in 2000 and has led the KwaZulu-Natal office since 2019, told the commission that the task team was “an essential and necessary structure” in stabilising the province, which has long been plagued by political assassinations.
Harrison testified that she first became aware of reports about the task team’s disbandment in January 2025 while she was on leave.
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Initially, she dismissed the claims as “fake news” circulating on social media.
However, upon her return, prosecutors confirmed that senior police officials had instructed the team to handle only enrolled matters or dockets awaiting decisions, while new cases were effectively frozen.
"At no stage was any formal communication addressed to my office, notifying us of the de-establishment of the task team," Harrison said.
She criticised what she described as a “complete breakdown in accountability,” adding that her office and the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) remained unsure for months whether the unit formally existed.
The DPP detailed how, under her leadership, prosecutors had been specifically allocated to guide the PKTT’s work, build databases, and ensure that political killings were properly tracked and prioritised.
She said the collaboration between prosecutors and investigators was starting to bear fruit, with a growing number of successful prosecutions.
But the dismantling of the team, without notice or consultation, threatened to undo those gains.
"An enormous amount of work had taken place to ensure proper coordination. Just as we began seeing results, the disbandment pulled the rug from under us."
Dockets Mishandled
Harrison’s frustrations were compounded by a letter she received from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, dated 22 May 2025.
In it, the commissioner apologised for the failure to execute J50 warrants in more than 120 cases after the dockets had been transferred to Pretoria on the telephonic instruction of the PKTT leader.
The letter, however, did not address the team’s closure — deepening confusion within the NPA.
READ MORE: Cachalia, Masemola agree to submit 121 dockets to Madlanga Commission
Warning Ahead of 2026 Elections
Harrison warned that dismantling the PKTT ahead of next year’s local government elections could embolden political hitmen.
KwaZulu-Natal, she noted, has historically experienced spikes in political murders during election periods.
"We are aware that all elections are often preceded by violent political activity. This is the norm in KwaZulu-Natal, and without the task team, we risk entering 2026 unprepared for the inevitable spike in political violence," she cautioned.
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