Madlanga Commission Day 7 recap: Harrison Defends Task Team, Next Witness Revealed

Pretoria - The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry continued its hearings into the disbandment of the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) with Advocate Elaine Harrison, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in KwaZulu-Natal, taking the stand on Day 7. Her testimony reinforced the view that the PKTT was an essential mechanism in tackling politically motivated crimes, and that its abrupt disbandment was both irrational and potentially destructive to ongoing prosecutions.

But the spotlight is now shifting. It has been confirmed that on Monday, General Dumisani Khumalo, head of Crime Intelligence, will testify. His appearance is expected to be one of the most consequential moments of the inquiry, with stakeholders, civil society, and the public eagerly anticipating his version of events.

READ: Madlanga Commission Day 7: KZN Prosecutor Raises Alarm Over Political Violence and Task Team Status

Advocate Harrison’s Testimony: The Value of the Task Team

Harrison, a prosecutor with 25 years of experience, described the PKTT as “essential and necessary” for KwaZulu-Natal and the country. She said the team’s coordinated, prosecution-led approach had delivered higher case finalization rates, strengthened witness protection processes, and built trust between investigators and prosecutors.

Her testimony highlighted three critical points:

1. No Consultation Before Disbandment – Harrison revealed she was never consulted or officially informed about the decision to disband the task team, only learning of it through social media reports.
2. Counterproductive Decision – She warned that the sudden disbandment was “both counterproductive and destructive” to years of progress made in prosecuting political killings.
3. Victim-Centered Approach Undermined – Harrison stressed that dismantling the team without a phased transition would jeopardize ongoing cases, traumatize victims’ families, and weaken witness cooperation.

Core Issues Raised

From her testimony and cross-references to earlier witnesses, several key arguments have emerged at the commission:

• Disorganized Decision-Making: The disbandment was poorly managed, with no structured consultation or communication.
• Persisting Political Killings: Despite claims of redundancy, politically motivated assassinations remain a crisis in KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces.
• Ministerial Overreach: Critics argue that the police minister exceeded his mandate by interfering in operational decisions, encroaching into areas beyond his powers.
• Suspicion of Ulterior Motives: Allegations persist that the disbandment was driven by attempts to derail investigations into high-profile underworld figures.

Anticipation Builds for General Khumalo

With testimony from police generals, prosecutors, and legal heads already on record, the inquiry now pivots to one of its most highly anticipated witnesses: General Dumisani Khumalo.

Known as a central figure in both the functioning of the PKTT and ongoing internal disputes within SAPS, Khumalo’s testimony is expected to:

• Clarify internal decision-making processes.
• Address allegations of political interference.
• Reveal the extent of Crime Intelligence’s role in the team’s successes and failures.

Observers suggest Khumalo’s evidence may span multiple days, given the complexity of the issues and the volume of documentation involved.

READ: Crime Intelligence Head Dumisani Khumalo Arrested in Major Fraud and Corruption Probe

What Comes Next

The stage is set for what commentators have dubbed “Khumalo Monday”, as the commission prepares to hear from one of the most crucial figures in the saga. His testimony will likely determine whether the inquiry solidifies claims of political meddling—or exposes deeper fractures within law enforcement’s handling of political violence.

For victims’ families, civil society groups, and policymakers, Khumalo’s appearance is more than courtroom drama—it is a potential turning point in restoring accountability and credibility in South Africa’s fight against political killings.