Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders of ANC Ward 10 councillor Thabang Masemola and EFF member Aaron Makola, in what police have described as major breakthroughs by the newly established Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
The South African Police Service (SAPS) announced on Monday that the specialised unit had made significant progress in investigations into politically linked killings in Gauteng.
In the first case, investigators arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of Masemola, who was killed in Mamelodi East on July 8, 2025. The suspects include an alleged hitman and a woman believed to have played a role in planning the murder.
The pair are expected to reappear before the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court, where police will seek to link the alleged hitman, 41-year-old Vusimuzi Champ Gebuza, to two additional cases of murder and attempted murder that occurred in Mamelodi in 2023 and 2024.
In a separate development, the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team arrested three men aged 40, 42 and 44 in connection with the murder of EFF member Aaron Makola.
Police said the arrests followed the discovery of Makola’s body, with investigators tracking down and apprehending the alleged killers over the weekend.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, on charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane hailed the arrests as evidence of SAPS’ commitment to combating violent crime and politically motivated killings.
“These breakthroughs demonstrate SAPS’ unwavering commitment to ensuring that those who commit violent crimes are tracked down and brought before the courts,” Dimpane said.
She also praised members of the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team for their work in securing the arrests.
“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,” she said.
Investigations into both cases are continuing.
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