MPs accuse Mchunu of undermining their intelligence and constitutional oversight following his controversial directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). The police minister, currently on special leave, appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Wednesday to explain the directive.
Mchunu’s December 2024 letter instructed Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to dismantle the PKTT “immediately.” The task team investigated political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. His directive has since drawn sharp criticism from parliamentarians who believe the order was a deliberate attempt to halt sensitive investigations.
Read how Senzo Mchunu cites ‘Dangerous Man’ Matlala’s affidavit to defend his directive in the PKTT controversy.
MPs Accuse Mchunu: What Mchunu Wrote and Why It Sparked Uproar
In his letter dated 31 December 2024, Mchunu stated:
“Further existence of this Team is no longer required nor is it adding any value to policing in South Africa.”
“I therefore direct that the Political Killings Task Team be disestablished immediately.”
He requested a preliminary report by 20 January 2025 and a final one later that month. However, during the hearing, Mchunu argued that “immediately” did not mean instant action. Instead, he claimed he expected a phased approach and that Commissioner Masemola had room to interpret the instruction.
MPs Reject Minister’s Interpretation
MPs from across the political spectrum expressed outrage at Mchunu’s explanation.
“Minister, you must accept that ‘immediate’ means immediate, not what you’re trying to explain,” said MK Party MP David Skosana.
ActionSA MP Dereleen James accused Mchunu of insulting the committee’s intelligence by attempting to redefine a common English word. EFF leader Julius Malema said Mchunu’s reasoning was baffling and showed disregard for Parliament.
“We seem to understand ‘immediate’ to mean now. He’s the only one who doesn’t,” Malema remarked.
Committee Chair Calls for Focus Beyond Semantics
Ad hoc committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane stepped in to moderate the heated exchange. He emphasised that while semantics matter, the committee should not become “hostages of language.”
“A swimming pool must stay a swimming pool and ‘immediate’ must remain ‘immediate’,” said Lekganyane.
He encouraged the committee to assess the broader implications of the disbandment rather than fixate solely on wording.
Find out why Premier Panyaza Lesufi disbanded the amaPanyaza unit to have members reassigned and retrained as traffic officers.
Legal and Political Concerns
Senior police officials, including Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Commissioner Masemola, opposed the directive. They argued that Mchunu lacked the legal mandate to unilaterally disband the PKTT.
The disbandment also raises concerns about obstruction. According to reports, the task team was investigating links to a major drug cartel.
MPs fear the move may have derailed investigations into politically sensitive crimes, weakening public trust in the criminal justice system.
Watch the Ad Hoc Committee
Mchunu’s Justification and Pushback
Mchunu defended his language, claiming that he wrote the letter personally and understood its implications. He used analogies to explain that “immediate” can imply urgency without literal instant action.
“If you say, ‘I’m going to Johannesburg now,’ you still wait at the airport. Let’s be practical,” he told MPs.
This defence was poorly received. Parliamentarians viewed it as evasive and disrespectful.
What’s Next in the Investigation
Mchunu concluded his testimony on Wednesday. The committee will continue hearing from witnesses as it investigates corruption in the police and political interference allegations.
Discover what Witness A revealed about Katiso Molefe’s 2024 arrest during testimony at the Madlanga Commission.
Public trust and the future of the PKTT remain at stake. The outcome could determine how South Africa handles ministerial accountability and oversight going forward.
