South Africa has launched two specialised police units in Gauteng province to combat rising organised crime, including political assassinations, kidnappings, and extortion.
The first unit is a Political Killings Task Team, modelled on a structure previously deployed in KwaZulu‑Natal province to tackle a wave of assassinations linked to intra‑party battles, local government disputes and tender‑related conflicts.
“This specialised team will focus on the investigation of political assassinations as well as politically motivated killings of government officials,” the ministry said.
“The establishment of the unit follows the proven effectiveness of the Political Killings Task Team model in addressing complex and highly sensitive cases.”
South Africa has recorded series of politically motivated killings over the past decade, with councillors, municipal officials and party activists frequently targeted.
Which the second unit will focus on kidnappings, extortion and crimes targeting infrastructure projects, offences that have surged in recent years and are increasingly linked to organised criminal syndicates.
South Africa has seen a sharp rise in ransom kidnappings, including cases involving business executives, foreign nationals and schoolchildren.
Extortion rackets targeting construction sites – often referred to as the “construction mafia” – have also disrupted major public‑works projects and private developments.
“These crimes have increasingly been linked to organised criminal networks that seek to undermine economic development and public safety,” the ministry said.
The new units form part of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) broader organised‑crime strategy, which aims to strengthen intelligence‑driven investigations and improve coordination across policing disciplines.
“The establishment of these units demonstrates SAPS’s commitment to strengthening its capacity to disrupt and dismantle organised criminal networks, while ensuring that perpetrators of serious crimes are brought to justice.”
Gauteng, the country’s economic hub, has been particularly affected by violent organised crime, prompting calls from business groups, civil‑society organisations and political leaders for more specialised policing interventions.
The ministry said the new units will work closely with intelligence services and prosecutors to ensure that cases are built effectively and that syndicates are targeted at all levels.
AP