Disbandment of task team ‘ruined’ new year for investigators
The decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team at the end of December 2024 left over a hundred specialist investigators in shock, Crime Intelligence Head Dumisani Khumalo told the Madlanga Commission.
The directive, signed by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on 31 December, was publicly shared on social media on New Year’s Day, before investigators were formally informed.
Khumalo described the moment as “not a happy New Year’s Day.” He recounted receiving calls from dozens of team members asking why their unit had been disbanded without consultation.
“I had to expect or receive calls from more than 110 people that I thought I am their leader, asking me one and the same question,” Khumalo told the commission.
“Unfortunately, I could not answer any of those people that were asking what is happening because in a normal situation, they would expect communication to come via myself or my office.”
He criticised the letter’s wording, saying it was “hurtful” and “demeaning” to the morale of the team.
Khumalo explained that the PKTT, which investigates politically motivated killings and cartel-linked hit squads, was abruptly told its mandate had ended, potentially jeopardising ongoing investigations into syndicate infiltration within law enforcement.
“It was indeed not the happy New Year's Day because of the letter,” he said.
“No one asked me as an individual how I felt about the letter itself, but I did not feel right.”
He said he then requested KZN Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to motivate the team and assure them to continue their work while the matter was addressed by the National Commissioner.
Khumalo stressed that he had never been consulted about the decision.
“I have never received any complaints or signs of unhappiness. I was never consulted when the letter was drafted and finalised. It came as a surprise even to myself,” he testified.
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