Masemola claims KZN councillors staged assassinations to secure bodyguards for themselves

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola claims some councillors in KwaZulu-Natal staged assassination attempts on themselves to secure bodyguards from their municipalities.

A significant portion of Masemola’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria on Monday focused on the political killings task team and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s efforts to disband it.

The unit has been at the centre of allegations by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who suggested that Mchunu sought to dissolve it to protect criminal elements.

Masemola said that although the task team was effective in investigating the murders of politicians in the province, there were multiple attempts to exploit it.

"In some cases, councillors would go as far as saying somebody must shoot at their shoes and not too deep in the bone, but when investigations continue, some would confess that they just wanted a budget from their municipalities so that they can get protection," he testified.

ALSO READ:

• Masemola highlights political killings task team achievements, says Mchunu had no basis to disband it

• Masemola: Mchunu encroached on mandate of national commissioner with his decision to disband political killings task team

• LIVE BLOG | Madlanga Commission: National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola

• Masemola outlines his responsibility versus that of Police Minister

• Mkhwanazi reaffirms allegiance to Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo

• Mkhwanazi alleges ex-police minister Nathi Mthethwa forced former intelligence head to withdraw criminal case against Richard Mdluli