Five Suspects Arrested in Political Killings Investigation Breakthrough
Five people have been arrested in connection with the murders of ANC Ward 10 councillor Thabang Masemola and EFF member Aaron Makola, marking significant breakthroughs by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
The South African Police Service (SAPS) announced on Monday that the specialised unit had made major progress in investigating politically linked murders across Gauteng.
In the Masemola case, police arrested two suspects following the ANC councillor’s killing in Mamelodi East on 8 July 2025. The suspects include a man believed to be the hitman and a woman allegedly involved in planning the murder.
Police said the pair will appear again in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court, where prosecutors intend linking the alleged hitman, 41 year old Vusimuzi Champ Gebuza, to two additional murder and attempted murder cases committed in Mamelodi during 2023 and 2024.
In a separate investigation, the task team arrested three men aged 40, 42 and 44 for the murder of EFF member Aaron Makola after investigators tracked them down following the discovery of his body.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on 5 August 2026 on charges including murder, kidnapping and robbery.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane welcomed the arrests, describing them as a demonstration of SAPS’ determination to tackle violent crime and politically motivated killings.
She also commended members of the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team for their efforts and assured the victims’ families and the public that investigations into both cases would continue.