An Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) official told the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday that task teams operating within the KwaZulu‑Natal SAPS have been responsible for a string of fatal operations in which a large number of people lost their lives. The testimony, delivered as the commission turned its attention to allegations of police “hit squads” in the province, outlined investigations conducted by IPID between 1 April 2023 and 31 May 2026.
IPID findings and scope of investigations
Len Barnabas John, an IPID official, told the commission that the directorate had examined more than 300 incidents during the period under review. Of those, John said, 77 incidents involved deaths during operations by task teams, with a total of 149 people reported killed.
“They go out to kill.”
John said the cases under investigation included incidents where task teams targeted alleged cash‑in‑transit robbery suspects, taxi operators and members of drug networks. He told the commission that in many of the files IPID examined the people killed had no criminal cases recorded linking them to the incidents for which they were targeted.
According to the evidence presented, IPID has identified a pattern of operations frequently planned to occur late at night — typically between 11pm and 3am — a window in which fewer independent witnesses might observe events, the official said.
Discrepancies at scenes and evidence concerns
John told the commission that a common feature across many cases was a mismatch between the number of people shot dead and the firearms recovered at the scene. He said that in multiple incidents fewer weapons were found than the number of deceased present, a fact which, he argued, undermines the frequent police account that the deceased had fired first.
He also said IPID had identified specific matters where crime‑scene reconstruction and other investigative work contradicted police accounts. Some of those matters have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration, John added.
Prosecutions and pending matters
While John indicated that files are before the DPP in some instances, he did not give a numerical breakdown of how many of the 77 fatal incidents have resulted in charges against members of the police. He told the commission that IPID’s investigative remit includes examining whether shootings were lawful or should be treated as extrajudicial killings.
- Period covered: 1 April 2023–31 May 2026
- Incidents investigated: more than 300
- Fatal incidents involving task teams: 77
- Total deaths in those incidents: 149
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Investigated incidents | More than 300 |
| Fatal incidents by task teams | 77 |
| People killed in those incidents | 149 |
John described instances in which task teams could not produce credible case files or even identify the deceased, and said IPID had uncovered cases that contradicted the version offered by police. He told the commission the directorate was using technical reconstructions to test claims that police had been fired upon first.
Implications and oversight
The testimony expands the Madlanga Commission’s focus to include alleged organised groups within the police that operate with a degree of autonomy. If IPID’s findings are upheld, they could prompt criminal charges, disciplinary action, and calls for wider reforms to task‑team oversight and deployment procedures.
Representatives of the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority were not cited on the record in John’s testimony summarised to the commission on Wednesday. The commission will continue to hear evidence as it examines the allegations and considers recommendations regarding police structures, oversight mechanisms and accountability.
Key immediate questions for the state and police oversight bodies include:
- How many of the IPID files have led to prosecutions or internal disciplinary steps?
- What measures will SAPS implement to prevent alleged task‑team abuses?
- Will the commission recommend structural changes to how task teams are authorised and monitored?
Further testimony and documentary evidence are expected as the commission continues its hearings on KwaZulu‑Natal task teams and alleged extrajudicial killings.
