Panyaza Lesufi Welcomes Newly Created SAPS Units To Tackle Political Killings And Kidnappings

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has welcomed the formation of two specialised units within the South African Police Service (SAPS) aimed at addressing some of the province’s most serious criminal threats.

The provincial government says the new teams are intended to strengthen the response to organised and violent crime, which continues to pose significant challenges in Gauteng.

According to the premier, the creation of the units represents an important move towards improving investigations and targeting high-priority offences.

SAPS Political Killings Task Team Targets Assassinations Of Officials

One of the newly formed units is the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), which will concentrate on probing political assassinations and killings believed to be linked to political motives.

The team will specifically investigate attacks on government officials and others believed to be targeted due to political affiliations or activities.

Authorities hope the specialised focus will improve coordination and investigative capacity when dealing with these sensitive cases.

New SAPS Unit To Combat Kidnapping, Extortion And Infrastructure Crime

A second specialised unit will focus on crimes such as kidnapping, extortion and offences linked to infrastructure projects.

These crimes have increasingly affected businesses, contractors and major developments, making them a priority for law enforcement agencies in the province.

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Gauteng government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the provincial administration supports the establishment of the teams and believes they will help tackle criminal activity more effectively.

“We welcome the creation of these units which we believe is going to assist to deal decisively with criminal behaviour. We are committed to working hard with our stakeholders to creating a peaceful for all our citizens,” said Mhlanga.

Panyaza Lesufi: Gauteng Crime Statistics Show Spike In Kidnappings And Commercial Crimes

The announcement comes as new crime statistics for Gauteng highlight growing concerns around certain categories of crime.

During the release of the figures, authorities revealed an increase in kidnappings, commercial crimes and cash-in-transit heists across the province.

Officials say the new specialised police units form part of broader efforts to strengthen the fight against organised crime and improve safety for residents.