Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is presently on special leave, has come under fire from Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale for ordering the dissolution of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
Mathale distanced himself from Mchunu’s decision during his Tuesday appearance before the parliamentary ad hoc committee, stating that the minister ought not to have handled the disbandment in such a manner.
Mchunu gave the order on December 31 following what Mathale said were brief discussions regarding the PKTT’s future.
“We did talk about the task team while we were talking about the structure, how we believe it should be set up, and how we need to bolster certain units, like robbery and murder, to deal with the nation’s murderous issues,” said Mathale.
“The task team was established in response to murders that were politically motivated; hence, it is named the political killings task team, but ultimately, it addresses murder cases.
“There was also the issue of traditional leaders being killed, which is murder and not political.
The killings of ordinary South Africans are either related to robbery or gang activities, both of which are considered murder. The rate at which we resolve these crimes is worrisome.”
However, Mathale told the committee that he was taken aback when he came across a letter signed by Mchunu that was making the rounds on social media, demanding the “immediate” disbandment of the task team.
Effectiveness of PKTT not in question
He said Mchunu later called him to confirm that the letter was genuine. According to Mathale, he made it clear that he disagreed with both the process and timing of the directive.
“It was very difficult to put my thoughts on what was happening with him to craft the letter in a manner in which he did and at the time that he did.
“I don’t know what was going through his mind and the circumstances that he was in when he penned the letter,” said Mathale.
He also told the committee that he did not understand how Mchunu’s directive regarding the immediate disbandment of the PKTT would be rolled out, highlighting that it was impractical to do that.
Mathale said they have advised Mchunu to have regular engagements with national police commissioner Fannie Masemola to avoid contradictions, stating he believes that is the reason they find themselves challenged by the legality of the disbandment of the PKTT.
“The effectiveness of the team is not in question; they did an excellent job. Since the team was established, there has been progress in addressing the killings of activists, which we may refer to as political killings.
“There was progress; in fact, there has never been any doubt about their efficacy in the space.”
