started · updated
IPID official alleges SAPS task teams involved in extrajudicial killings
Len John, a Deputy Director of Investigations at the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), testified before the Madlanga Commission regarding alleged extrajudicial killings by South African Police Service (SAPS) task teams in KwaZulu-Natal.
John alleged that task teams have targeted civilians and subsequently linked them to cash-in-transit heists to close criminal dockets. He stated that IPID has recorded at least 77 cases of alleged extrajudicial killings involving SAPS task teams linked to drug-related, taxi-related, and cash-in-transit crimes.
A specific case highlighted involved the April 2023 deaths of Bevan Loftus and four other men in a Durban flat. While police claimed the men were killed in a spontaneous gunfight, John testified that the incident appeared to be a deliberate hit. He alleged that Hawks Lieutenant-Colonel Deena Govender’s task team was commissioned by rival businessman Clive Naicker in a R2.5 million hit to eliminate Loftus.
John further noted that many operations occur late at night, between 23:00 and 03:00, with officers often wearing civilian clothing or masks without official insignia, reducing the likelihood of witnesses observing potential wrongdoing.
Entities
Bevan Loftus · Deena Govender · Independent Police Investigative Directorate · Len John · Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] IPID Deputy Director Len John testified before the Madlanga Commission regarding alleged extrajudicial killings by SAPS task teams. insidepolitic.co.za · www.sabcnews.com · www.yfm.co.za
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A R2.5 million hit was allegedly commissioned by businessman Clive Naicker to kill tow-truck operator Bevan Loftus. insidepolitic.co.za
- [○ 1 SOURCE] IPID has recorded at least 77 cases of alleged extrajudicial killings involving SAPS task team members. www.yfm.co.za
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Hawks Lieutenant-Colonel Deena Govender and his task team allegedly carried out the killing of Bevan Loftus and four others. insidepolitic.co.za
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Police allegedly link killed civilians to cash-in-transit heists to close related dockets. www.yfm.co.za
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Task team operations are frequently conducted between 23:00 and 03:00 while members wear civilian clothing or masks without insignia. www.sabcnews.com