Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has issued a stern directive halting all recruitment in the Crime Intelligence Division and disbanding the political killings task team. Mchunu outlined these bold moves in his explosive end-of-year letter to police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, dated December 31.
“All processes to fill vacant posts in the division should be halted immediately,” declared Mchunu, emphasising a complete freeze on filling posts at both the provincial and head office levels.
The decision sends a clear message that the intelligence division is under scrutiny and that significant changes are anticipated following substantive discussions between Mchunu and
Masemola.
Why such drastic measures? The Crime Intelligence Division, crucial for crime prevention and national security, has been plagued by allegations of mismanagement and inefficiency.
By calling for a halt in hiring, Mchunu is effectively acknowledging these issues and signalling a need for a strategic overhaul, and his no-nonsense approach suggests that he is not afraid to confront systemic problems head-on.
In another decisive move, Mchunu targeted the political killings task team, established in response to the 2019 Moerane Commission report, which investigated a spate of political murders, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Further existence of this team is no longer required, nor is it adding any
value to policing in South Africa,” Mchunu stated bluntly, directing its immediate disbandment.
The task team, initially seen as a beacon of hope for resolving politically motivated killings, faced criticism for its lack of measurable progress. Mchunu demanded a preliminary report by January 20, 2025, with a final report due shortly thereafter, underscoring his intent to close this chapter swiftly.
The decision to disband the team would raise questions about whether the task force was ever equipped to handle its mandate or whether political will was lacking.
The minister’s directives also extend to the country’s ports of entry, another critical area where SAPS plays a vital role alongside the Border Management Authority.
Mchunu mandated the development of a new plan to enhance security, insisting on a comprehensive analysis of current challenges and an operational plan incorporating staff rotation policies.
“SAPS personnel impact and efficiency should be reviewed from time to time,” he asserted, indicating a need for constant vigilance and adaptability in securing South Africa’s borders.
The minister’s camp said his sweeping reform called for accountability and results, and the directives were a clarion call for transparency and effectiveness within SAPS, demanding more than just lip service to the challenges facing the country.
With crime and corruption high on the national agenda, his allies expected that his confrontational stance may well resonate with a public weary of inaction.
