POLICE Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko says 14 people have been arrested following a parliamentary task team probe into recent politically-motivated killings in the country.
The police minister briefed the media at Parliament's Imbizo Centre on Wednesday. He was joined by acting SAPS Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane and Hawks head Berning Ntlemeza.
Nhleko said it was important to treat the matter with urgency and to provide clarity given the recent spate of murders in five provinces ahead of the 3 August elections.
"The bulk of the killings took place in KZN, but there've also been incidents in other provinces," he said.
A case of murder each has been registered in Gauteng, the North West, the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
One person has been arrested in Gauteng and six in the Eastern Cape.
The other seven were all arrested in KwaZulu-Natal.
In KZN, the task team has recorded 25 politically-related incidents since January, Nhleko continued.
Fourteen of those related to cases of murder and attempted murder. The other 11 related to incidents of arson, public violence, culpable homicide and damage to public property.
Nhleko said that the police were working with the NPA to ensure that the cases of murder are fast-tracked at the various courts in KZN for the sake of the upcoming elections.
"We will continue to do what is necessary so that these matters can be resolved. They can't go unresolved.
"We're quite committed in ensuring we have peaceful elections in the country. We have successfully done that over the years," he said.
http://www.news24.com/Elections/News/14-arrested-over-political-killings-nhleko-20160727