The South African Police Service’s newly established Gauteng Political Killings Task Team has arrested five suspects in connection with the murders of two political leaders.

Two suspects were arrested for the murder of Thabang Masemola, an ANC ward 10 councillor in the City of Tshwane who was killed on 8 July 2025 in Mamelodi East. The suspects include the alleged hitman, Vusimuzi Champ Gebuza (41), and a woman believed to have planned the councillor’s murder.

The pair will appear before the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court, where investigators will link Gebuza to two additional cases of murder and attempted murder that occurred in Mamelodi in 2023 and 2024.

In a separate case, three suspects aged 40, 42 and 44 were arrested over the weekend following the discovery of EFF member Aaron Makola’s body by the task team. The trio is expected to appear before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 5 August, facing charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery.

Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, praised the task team’s work. “These breakthroughs demonstrate SAPS’ unwavering commitment to ensuring that those who commit violent crimes are tracked down and brought before the courts,” Dimpane said.

“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.”

The arrests mark significant progress for the newly established task team, which focuses on investigating murders of political party members and ward councillors in Gauteng.

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