PKTT roped in to probe deaths of traditional leaders killed in KZN

The Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) has been roped in to probe the deaths of traditional leaders killed in land disputes in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Between 2016 and 2021, five chiefs in Dukuduku were killed in what is believed to be conflict over land between two clans.

The tensions over the land dispute in the Dukuduku area invited police attention when demonstrations by residents affected the busy N2 highway.

KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi convened a community imbizo on Sunday to address the matter.

“We are aware the deaths happened as a result of the very same conflict where they were fighting and over the leadership in this area, at least there were five people who were affected, and I can confirm the report that at least one of those cases has been finalised where a suspect was given 25 years in prison.”

He said the convicted criminal has also been linked to other murders.

“There are firearms that were recovered that were linked to other murders so the investigations is continuing on that and the very same person that has been charged, found guilty and sentenced has been linked with other murders that were reported in this area but that all case dockets are investigated at a provincial level by the Political Killings Task Team.”

He added that of those killed, one was a former Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) councillor, and an investigation is also looking into his death.

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