Mchunu Admits Lack of Plan in Disbanding PKTT

(The Post News)- Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has admitted that he didn’t have a detailed plan. He disbanded the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in December last year. Mchunu is currently under cross-examination at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria.

The PKTT was established to respond to politically motivated murders, mainly in KwaZulu-Natal. It had been praised for improving arrest rates. Its coordination was also improved. Mchunu’s decision to disband the task team has raised questions about the motivation behind it. There are concerns about the transparency of executive involvement in sensitive policing matters.

The Disbandment Decision

Mchunu stated that his aim was to incorporate the PKTT into broader murder and robbery units, but he didn’t work out the details beyond initial engagements. He mentioned that a specialized task team needs a structured transition to be integrated into broader units. This includes focusing on case handover protocols, personnel integration, and administrative alignment.

WATCH SENZO MUCHUNU: PKTT disbandment: Mchunu admits lack of plan.

Lack of Consultation

Mchunu conceded that he didn’t consult national police commissioner Fannie Masemola before disbanding the PKTT, despite having a good working relationship with him. He also failed to provide a clear explanation for the urgency implied by the instruction to shut down the PKTT immediately.

The Madlanga Commission has expressed concerns about Mchunu’s decision, questioning why he didn’t speak to Masemola, who was best placed to advise on the PKTT’s future. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga described Mchunu’s decision as being made in a “terrible rush”.