SAPS confirms Mkhwanazi's dockets that he claims were taken irregularly have returned

JOHANNESBURG - National police have confirmed that the dockets, which KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi claims were taken away irregularly, are being returned.

During an explosive press briefing in July, Mkhwanazi claimed that the dockets that were under investigation were taken away from the political killings task team by the Deputy Police Commissioner for crime detection, Shadrack Sibiya.

The claims led to Sibiya being suspended pending the outcome of the police commission of inquiry by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.

According to General Mkhwanazi, 121 dockets were taken away from the KZN political killings task team due to interference by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Sibiya.

Police have now confirmed that dockets are currently being returned to the task team.

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said: “We can confirm that the national commission has signed off that the dockets be returned to Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) detectives are in Gauteng at the head office in Pretoria to fetch the dockets.

Mathe said the dockets are being subjected to final inspection before being returned to KZN.

The return of the dockets means the task team will be able to continue with its probe and could result in more prosecutions.

The KZN political killings task team has been at the forefront of investigations into high-profile cases such as the murders of Deejays Sumbody and Vintos, which resulted in the arrest of Sandton businessman – Katiso “KA” Matlala.

The unit is also leading the investigation into murder accused Matlala, who is being tried for allegedly plotting a hit on his socialite girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane