Expert testimony reveals Mchunu lacked legal power to disband PKTT

SUSPENDED Police Minister Senzo Mchunu did not have the authority to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) as the decision fell outside his authoritative mandate.

- MANYANE MANYANE [e-mail]

This is according to the SAPS legislative expert Major-General Marga van Rooyen, who told the Madlanga Commission yesterday that the powers to disband the task team lies with National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.

Van Rooyen is the third witness to appear before the commission after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkwanazi and Masemola.

The ongoing commission, chaired by retired Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is currently investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system. This follows allegations made by Mkhwanazi, who accused Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Shadrack Sibiya of colluding with criminal syndicates and interfering with sensitive police investigations.

Mkhwanazi also claimed that Mchunu ordered the disbandment of the PKTT to protect drug cartel members from investigations. He added that Mchunu was influenced by others to protect criminal syndicates and vested business interests.