Focus shifts to Mchunu as he shifts into hot seat at Madlanga Commission

The commission is probing explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claims senior police officials, including Mchunu, are linked to criminal syndicates and interfere in policing operations.

Mchunu previously denied these claims during his appearance before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating political interference in the police service. 

He defended his controversial December 31, 2024, directive to review the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), insisting it was lawful and necessary.

“I didn’t breach any law,” Mchunu told MPs. 

“I didn’t convene a meeting with General Masemola, General Mkhwanazi, or General Khumalo, and that doesn’t constitute an offence.” 

He said his role as minister is to reform and improve policing structures in line with the priorities of the seventh administration, arguing that the PKTT, initially formed under the Sixth Administration, no longer had a basis under the new government.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed at the commission that the PKTT remains fully operational, despite Mchunu’s directive. 

Masemola said that no formal disbandment letter was sent to the team’s leadership and that all dockets were returned to their stations to ensure investigations continue uninterrupted. 

He highlighted ongoing successes, including arrests in high-profile cases, such as those involving alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. 

Masemola accused Mchunu of overstepping by issuing the directive without consultation, stressing the operational independence of the National Commissioner.

Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo also told the commission that the disbandment letter left over 100 specialist investigators in a state of shock.

 The letter was publicly shared on New Year’s Day before investigators were formally informed, damaging morale and creating confusion. Khumalo said he had never been consulted about the decision and described the timing and wording of the letter as “hurtful” and “demeaning.”

Acting Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, Khosi Senthumule, testified that Mkhwanazi should have been the first to be informed about the PKTT’s disbandment. 

She described the decision-making process as irregular, poorly communicated, and inconsistent with policing protocols. Senthumule stated that the 121 politically linked murder dockets transferred from the KwaZulu-Natal task team to SAPS headquarters in Pretoria were moved without proper briefing or written instructions, thereby undermining operational stability.

“General Mkhwanazi is the custodian of policing in KwaZulu-Natal,” Senthumule said. 

“He carries the constitutional responsibility for operations in the province, and he should have been informed first. If he was not told, then it means the correct process was not followed.” 

She warned that sudden structural changes risk destabilising investigations into sensitive political killings.

The Madlanga Commission continues to examine the minister’s decision, its implementation, and the consequences for high-profile political killings investigations in KwaZulu-Natal. 

Mchunu’s testimony will be closely watched as the commission seeks clarity on whether proper protocols were followed, and if political interference influenced the disbandment of the specialised unit. 

Public hearings for 2025 are expected to conclude on Friday, with an interim report due in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inbox by December 17.

READ MORE