Cape Town – Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu told the SAPS Ad Hoc Committee that he briefed President Cyril Ramaphosa before disbanding the controversial Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), citing rising political tensions as a reason.
Mchunu said the president agreed with his briefing.
“I sought an appointment and it was granted
“I went to present that I had made this decision in December last year. I don’t recall the exact date, but it was either January or February. I am prepared to check,” Mchunu told the committee.
“I told him these matters, among others, led me to disband the political task team. If I had not acted then, there might have been calls for a commission of inquiry on those matters. So I decided to pre-empt such a call.”
[WATCH] Testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says President Cyril Ramaphosa was briefed and agreed to the decision to disband the PKTT. Security expert Eldred de Klerk weighs in on the implications of Mchunu’s testimony. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/jAfuvrZ61t
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 17, 2025
He defended the disbandment as a routine administrative decision, similar to previous actions such as disbanding the police inspectorate.
Mchunu also addressed a strained relationship with KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, revealing he had instructed his chief of staff to record conversations after perceiving threats of retaliation regarding the PKTT closure.
He insisted he acted deliberately and soberly, taking full responsibility for the letter that dissolved the task team.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
