BHEKI CELE ADDS TO EMBATTLED SENZO MCHUNU'S WOES

Former police minister challenges successor’s decision to disband the PKTT, citing lack of consultation and proper authority

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA and THEOLIN TEMBO.

FORMER police minister Bheki Cele giving his testimony at the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system.

(ARMAND HOUGH Independent Newspapers)

ONLY President Cyril Ramaphosa as the person responsible for the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)- which birthed the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), had the power to disband the elite unit.

That is according to former police minister Bheki Cele when contradicted suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on matters related to the formation and disestablishment of the PKTT.

“In my view, the PKTT was established by the IMC under the leadership of the president; therefore, only the president could disestablish it,” he told the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations made by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Mchunu issued his directives to National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, ordering the disbandment of the PKTT and freezing of vacancies within the Crime Intelligence, which sparked Mkhwanazi’s briefing on July 6.