Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is facing intense questioning at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria over his decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in December 2024.
The commission heard that Mchunu allegedly misinterpreted a 2019 work study on the task team, which had recommended integrating the PKTT into the murder and robbery unit. The study was never implemented, yet Mchunu used it to justify dissolving the unit.
Witnesses testified that Mchunu did not consult them before making the decision and that his actions exceeded his official mandate.
Commissioner Sandile Khumalo challenged Mchunu on whether the work study could override the Inter-Ministerial Committee’s (IMC) authority, which originally established the PKTT. “The PKTT is set up by the IMC and can only be disbanded by a Minister or that Committee,” Khumalo stated. “If studies sent only to the National Commissioner are used to adopt recommendations that override an IMC decision, then there must exist a PKTT that does not make sense to me.”
The commission is continuing its cross-examination as it examines the legality and process behind the controversial disbandment.