Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, who has been placed on special leave, has told Parliament’s Ad Hoc committee that the national political killings task team is not as important as it is often perceived to be.
The committee is probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July. Mchunu has been accused of conspiring with criminals to disband the task team investigating political killings in the province.
Addressing the committee, Mchunu said the task team should not be seen as a central pillar of policing in the country.
PKTT was a team, not a unit
“This is not even a unit; it is a team. How much importance do you… you can’t say it’s a national priority, work done by a team. Important as it was and having contributed as it did— but it is not [and] can’t be made a national priority on policing in South Africa amid challenges that we have,” said Mchunu.
He said the team would irresponsibly overstretch the budget and duplicate functions within the organogram.
He also clarified on the directives outlined in his December 31 2024 letter. They were not discussed with anyone prior to being issued, he said. These included the disbandment of the team.
According to Mchunu, although there had been meetings to address challenges within the South African Police Service (SAPS), he decided to draft and send the letter only after reflecting during the festive season.
“All matters were discussed, but what was not discussed were the directives themselves,” he told the committee.
Meeting to discuss SAPS challenges
Mchunu said a meeting had been held with two deputy ministers of police on November 22. Its purpose was to discuss internal challenges within SAPS. And it was agreed that he would engage with the National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.
However, he acknowledged that this meeting had not been listed in the documents provided to evidence leaders. But he maintained that it had taken place and promised to submit proof.
“I’ve indicated very patiently that I could not discuss these directives with anyone, for reasons that I’ve advised. One of them, I’ve indicated that some people who raised fundamental concerns with their safety,” Mchunu added.
He told the committee that he should not be made to feel guilty for not consulting. That is because this was a unit, not a team. He said not having a meeting with Masemola, Mkhwanazi, and intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo does not mean he broke any law.
