Johannesburg – The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) newly established Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) has arrested five suspects in separate breakthroughs linked to the murders of an ANC ward councillor and an EFF member.
In a statement on Tuesday, SAPS said Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane had praised the task team for making significant progress in investigations into politically motivated killings in Gauteng.
“The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has commended the newly established Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) for making significant breakthroughs in investigations into the murders of political party members and ward councillors in Gauteng,” the statement said.
In the first case, police arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of Thabang Masemola, the ANC Ward 10 councillor in the City of Tshwane, who was shot dead in Mamelodi East on 8 July 2025.
According to SAPS, those arrested include the alleged hitman and a woman believed to have been involved in planning the killing.
“The two suspects arrested include the alleged hitman and a woman who is believed to have played a role in planning the murder of the councillor,” police said.
The suspects are expected to reappear in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court, where investigators will seek to link the alleged hitman, 41-year-old Vusimuzi Champ Gebuza, to two additional cases involving murder and attempted murder committed in Mamelodi during 2023 and 2024.
In a separate investigation, the task team arrested three suspects following the discovery of the body of EFF member Aaron Makola.
Police said the suspects, aged 40, 42 and 44, were tracked down and arrested over the weekend.
“Three suspects, aged 40, 42 and 44, were arrested and are expected to appear before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 05 August 2026, on charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery,” SAPS said.
Lieutenant General Dimpane praised the investigators for the arrests, saying they demonstrated the police’s determination to tackle violent crime and political assassinations.
“These breakthroughs demonstrate SAPS’ unwavering commitment to ensuring that those who commit violent crimes are tracked down and brought before the courts,” Dimpane said.
“We commend the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team for their tireless efforts and assure the families of the victims, as well as the people of Gauteng, that we remain resolute in our fight against violent crime and politically motivated killings.”
The investigations into both cases are continuing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
