By Mapaballo Borotho
- The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard explosive allegations that some KwaZulu-Natal police officers were involved in extrajudicial killings while operating as part of an alleged Cash-in-Transit task team.
- IPID Deputy Director for Investigations Len John also alleged that Lieutenant Colonel Deena Govender was paid more than R2.7 million to kill suspected drug lord Bevan Loftus.
- John further told the inquiry that some KZN tow truck operators may be linked to the drug trade and that police officers allegedly have close relationships with certain operators.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard explosive allegations about the alleged hit squads operating within the South African Police Service (SAPS) in KwaZulu-Natal.
IPID Deputy Director for Investigations Len John made the allegations while testifying before the commission on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
John was giving evidence about the alleged hit squads in the province, which are accused of being made up of SAPS members who carry out extrajudicial killings.
He told the inquiry that a majority of suspects linked to cash-in-transit (CIT) heists in KwaZulu-Natal cannot be directly linked to the robberies; however, they have been killed by the alleged hit squad.
He claimed that the CIT Task Team, led by Lieutenant Colonel Deena Govender, was involved in many of these shootings.
According to John, some of the alleged operations take place between 23:00 and 03:00, with task team members reportedly wearing civilian clothing and face masks.
“They get their information during the day but they plan the operation to go through the night,” he said.
He claims that officers would arrive at the premises and later claim that they had come under fire before returning fire.
Alleged R2.7 million payment to kill drug lord
John also made a serious allegation involving Govender, claiming that he was paid more than R2.7 million to kill an alleged drug lord.
He told the commission that the alleged target was drug lord Bevan Loftus, who was shot and killed by members of the task team on 1 April 2023.
John alleged that Loftus was targeted at the request of rival gang leader Clive Nicker.
He said the substantial amount allegedly offered for the killing motivated Govender and other task team members to actively search for Loftus.
John told the inquiry that police had visited Loftus’ family home several times while looking for him.
“Earlier to the shooting, the police had visited Mr Greg Loftus’ house more than three times. They were looking for Bevan Loftus, and in one of the visits, they indicated to Bevan’s father that they were not there to harass Bevan but rather to kill him,” he alleged.
KZN tow truck industry linked to alleged drug trade
John also raised concerns about the relationship between the tow truck industry and alleged drug trafficking in KwaZulu-Natal.
He told the inquiry that some tow truck operators are allegedly involved in the transportation of drugs.
“We believe that tow trucks are used for transporting drugs. I’m not saying all the trucks, but in many of these cases, the tow truck and drug industries go together,” he said.
John further alleged that some police officers have close relationships with tow truck operators and assist them in securing clients.
He concluded his testimony before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday afternoon.
John alleges that Bevan Loftus, an alleged leader of a drug and towing gang, was aware that the leader of a rival gang, Clive Nicker, had placed a R2.5 million hit on his life.
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) August 12, 2026
He alleges that the leader of the CIT Task Team, Lieutenant-Colonel Deena Govender, and his members… https://t.co/M52HyXZQnU
The allegations presented to the commission have not been tested in court, and investigations into the claims are ongoing.
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