In a significant development in South Africa’s ongoing battle against political violence and corruption, General Mkhwanazi, the police commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal province, has made another crucial arrest related to the murder of Cindi Somak, a former secretary general of the ANC Youth League.
This arrest is part of a broader push by a special task team dedicated to investigating political and high-profile killings, as the nation braces for a major commission of inquiry into deep-rooted corruption and criminal networks within the police and government.
The recent arrest took place in Umlazi, Durban, where Zoip Panis Kosana, a 55-year-old former municipal manager of the Usimkulu Local Municipality, was taken into custody.
Kosana now faces multiple charges including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, firearm-related offenses, and defeating the administration of justice.
He appeared in Umlazi Magistrate’s Court and his case was remanded to August 1, 2025, to allow his defense team to prepare for bail applications.
This is not Kosana’s first encounter with the law regarding this case.
He was previously arrested in 2018 alongside several others including the late mayor of Umlazi, Mule Gindob, a businessman, two former police officers, and a hitman.
These arrests are part of a long-standing investigation into the murder of Cindi Somak, which has been unfolding over several years.
Cindi Somak was fatally shot on July 13, 2017, in Usimkulu and succumbed to her injuries two months later.
At the time of the attack, Somak was traveling with associates who were also targeted, and their vehicles were damaged during the incident.
Somak was known as a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, deeply involved in the ANC Youth League’s efforts to combat corruption, particularly within local government.
Her activism made her a target for those threatened by her efforts to expose wrongdoing.
The investigation has revealed a meticulously planned assassination, with evidence pointing to a conspiracy involving high-ranking municipal officials and criminal elements.
Court admissions by one of the accused, Ninga, detailed how he was recruited by Mule Gindob and Kosana to carry out the killing, motivated by Somak’s determination to uncover corrupt practices that jeopardized the interests of those involved.
The case exposes disturbing links between political figures, municipal officials, and criminal syndicates.
Ninga’s confession outlined a financial arrangement where he and an accomplice were promised a R1 million reward for the assassination, although he claimed to have been shortchanged, receiving only R70,000 and no promised property.
Further investigations revealed that weapons used in the murder, including an AK-47 rifle and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, were traced back to funds from a crime intelligence fund.
This points to the troubling infiltration of official resources into criminal activities, raising questions about corruption within law enforcement agencies.
Ninga, who was also a registered police informer, provided a detailed affidavit while in prison, implicating Kosana and a former journalist and communications manager at the municipality, Munalan.
His revelations have added a new dimension to the investigation, suggesting that the assassination was orchestrated to silence Somak and protect corrupt networks.
General Mkhwanazi’s task team, established in 2018, has been instrumental in investigating political killings across KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.
The team’s work has uncovered a pattern of collaboration between criminal syndicates and police insiders, as seen in other cases such as the murder of Armon Swart, where a detective allegedly led hitmen hired by a businessman.
In recent weeks, the task team has made several arrests, including that of businessman Gatiso Malef, linked to the assassination of DJ Somebody and his bodyguards in Johannesburg.
The team continues to connect firearms and suspects across multiple high-profile cases, demonstrating the extensive reach of these criminal networks.
The investigation also led to the arrest of Nabisen Zama, the daughter of one alleged hitman, charged with handling criminal proceeds.
These arrests highlight the complex financial trails underpinning these violent crimes and the involvement of drug cartels and underworld figures within South African institutions.
The revelations from these investigations have exposed serious allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration at the highest levels of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and government.
General Mkhwanazi has publicly accused top police officials and the police minister of being compromised by criminal syndicates, which has led to significant political tension.
Efforts to arrest key figures implicated in these networks, including Munalan and Lieutenant General Shrek Cibbya, Deputy Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, have been hampered by alleged obstruction from prosecutors and internal resistance within the police force.
Both Munalan and Cibbya have been placed on special leave pending investigations amid mutual accusations of criminal conduct and attempts to sabotage the task team’s work.
In response to these alarming developments, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the formation of a commission of inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Muisi Madlanga.
The commission is tasked with investigating the extent of criminal penetration within the police, government, and other institutions.
It will examine allegations of corruption, political killings, and the influence of drug cartels.
The inquiry is set to begin hearings in August 2025, with a tight timeline for interim and final reports.
The commission faces significant challenges, including ensuring witness protection amid fears of retaliation and maintaining transparency while handling sensitive information.
The arrest of Kosana and ongoing investigations have been met with cautious optimism among Somak’s family and the ANC Youth League.
His brother, Luaz, expressed relief that progress is being made and hopes the true masterminds behind the assassination will be brought to justice.
Collins Malichi, current ANC Youth League President, emphasized that Somak’s death reflects the deadly consequences of corruption within government institutions.
Former Deputy President Andile Lungisa called for those responsible to face justice without mercy, honoring Somak’s legacy as a fearless fighter for freedom and justice.
General Mkhwanazi’s recent arrest marks a critical step in South Africa’s fight against political violence and corruption.
The case of Cindi Somak’s assassination exposes the dangerous nexus between politics, crime, and law enforcement, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and reform.
As the commission of inquiry prepares to delve into these complex issues, the nation watches closely, hoping for justice and restoration of trust in its institutions.
The ongoing work of the task team under General Mkhwanazi’s leadership underscores the commitment to uncovering the truth and protecting the democratic process from criminal interference.
This investigation is not just about one murder; it is a battle for the soul of South Africa’s democracy, where the rule of law must prevail over corruption and violence.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
