Mchunu faces backlash over task team

KZN SAPS Commissioner criticises minister's controversial decision during inquiry

- RAPULA MOATSHE

THE Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, faced criticism on the first day of the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry for ordering the disbandment of the political killings task team and halting the filling of crime intelligence posts.

KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who is the first witness to testify, told the commission yesterday that Mchunu's decision was “misplaced”.

The commission, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is probing allegations of corruption, political interference, and infiltration by criminal syndicates within South Africa's law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

This followed Mkhwanazi's explosive public statements on July 6, during a media briefing, alleging political interference in the criminal justice system.

It came to light that a letter penned by Mchunu, dated January 2, 2025, pointed out that the task team “was not adding value to the policing work”.

Mkhwanazi said: “The minister's conclusion that the team does not add any value to policing in South Africa was misplaced”

He stated that whoever advised Mchunu to disband the political killings task team likely did so because they mistakenly believed the team was responsible for investigating organised crime in Gauteng, which involved senior police officers, politicians, and their associates.