Colonel Khumalo’s Promotion Fuels Debate Over Political Killings Docket

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the promotion of Paul Khumalo, a former member of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in KwaZulu Natal, to the rank of Colonel. The development comes months after Khumalo delivered critical testimony at the Madlanga Commission, where he spoke candidly about the controversial disbandment of the specialised investigative unit.

Khumalo appeared before the commission on 17 November 2025, where he detailed the circumstances surrounding the dismantling of the PKTT, a unit that had been tasked with investigating politically motivated killings in KwaZulu Natal a province long plagued by violent political rivalries.

According to his testimony, the PKTT was formally disbanded on 31 December 2024, a move that sent shockwaves through the unit and among families of victims whose cases were still under investigation. Following the dissolution, 121 case dockets were transferred to SAPS national head office in March 2025.

Khumalo told the commission that the decision had a devastating impact on investigators and severely disrupted ongoing cases.

“It damaged them, it left scars,” Khumalo said during his testimony. “There were cases that were remanded to the beginning of January. There were cases that were already on trial stage.”

He further described the chaotic environment that unfolded after news of the unit’s closure became public. Some members of the team were still actively working on cases when the announcement surfaced.

“Other members were out working on the 31st when this letter surfaced. If you are sitting with a person of interest or a witness and they see this, they immediately say, ‘awusuke la mfowethu. Ayikho indaba yenu,’” Khumalo told the commission, highlighting how suspects and witnesses quickly lost confidence in the investigations once the task team was dissolved.

The commission also heard troubling evidence regarding the handling of the transferred case files. Officials at the SAPS national head office reportedly missed two additional dockets that were part of the original bundle seized from the KwaZulu Natal task team, raising concerns about administrative oversight in sensitive investigations.

The PKTT had been widely regarded as one of the most effective specialised units in tackling politically motivated assassinations in the province. Its disbandment sparked criticism from civil society groups and political analysts who warned that dismantling the unit could weaken efforts to combat political violence.

Khumalo’s promotion has drawn mixed reactions. While some within the policing community view it as recognition of his years of service and professionalism, others believe the timing will invite scrutiny given his prominent role in exposing internal challenges within the investigative structures.

As the Madlanga Commission continues to probe the circumstances surrounding the task team’s closure, Khumalo’s testimony and now his promotion have placed him firmly at the centre of one of the most closely watched policing controversies in South Africa.