GAUTENG — In a decisive strike against politically motivated violence, the Gauteng PKTT arrests suspects in the murders of EFF member Aaron Makola and ANC Ward Councillor Thabang Masemola, marking a major breakthrough for provincial law enforcement. These high-profile apprehensions signal a renewed offensive by specialized investigative units targeting the syndicates and hitmen responsible for assassinating public figures and political party members.
The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, publicly commended the newly established Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) for their rapid and significant progress in cracking these complex cases.
Cracking the Mamelodi Councillor Assassination
The first major breakthrough involves the tragic death of Thabang Masemola, an ANC ward 10 councillor for the City of Tshwane. Masemola was assassinated in Mamelodi East on 08 July 2025.
Following an intensive manhunt, the Gauteng PKTT successfully apprehended two suspects connected to the crime: a female conspirator believed to have orchestrated the plot, and the alleged hitman. The suspected triggerman has been identified as 41-year-old Vusimuzi Champ Gebuza.
The pair is scheduled to reappear before the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court. During the proceedings, investigators plan to formally link Gebuza to a broader string of violence, adding two additional dockets of murder and attempted murder stemming from separate incidents that occurred in Mamelodi throughout 2023 and 2024.
Arrests Follow Discovery of EFF Member’s Body
In a separate but equally significant investigation, the task team made a grim discovery when they located the remains of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member Aaron Makola. Leveraging forensic evidence and rapid intelligence gathering, PKTT investigators swiftly tracked down the individuals responsible for his death.
Over the weekend, authorities arrested three suspects, aged 40, 42, and 44. The trio is facing a litany of severe charges, including murder, kidnapping, and robbery. They are expected to make their first appearance before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 05 August 2026.
SAPS Reaffirms Commitment to Eradicating Political Violence
The successful operations have drawn high praise from SAPS leadership, who view these arrests as a testament to the efficacy of specialized task teams.
Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane highlighted the relentless work of the investigators and sent a stern warning to those who utilize violence to settle political scores.
“These breakthroughs demonstrate SAPS’ unwavering commitment to ensuring that those who commit violent crimes are tracked down and brought before the courts,” said Lt. Gen. Dimpane. “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.”
As the province gears up for the upcoming court appearances, the SAPS maintains that the mandate of the PKTT remains clear: dismantle the networks of political assassination and ensure that justice is served for the victims and their grieving families.