Mosikili: Task teams remain crucial intervention tool in probing sensitive cases

She testified before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the criminal justice system.

Mosikili discussed the directive issued by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, currently on special leave, to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

 She said she only became aware of the directive on 2 January 2025, when she returned to the office following the festive season operations.

 “Advocate, I only became aware of the email on the second of January when I was back in the office,” Mosikili explained.

“What also caught my attention was the media inquiry forwarded by the national spokesperson. At the time, media houses, including News24, had already published the directives regarding the disbandment of the PKTT.”

Highlighting the operational realities, Mosikili explained that task teams are deployed when provincial capacity is insufficient or when specialised expertise is required.

 “National intervention teams supplement provincial resources during complex or sensitive investigations,” she said, noting that she did not foresee task teams being completely done away with.

Mosikili said she was surprised by the directive, adding that the last time she had met Minister Mchunu and National Commissioner Fannie Masemola was on 28 December 2024, at a funeral.

 “At no stage was there any mention of the PKTT or any attempt to issue directives involving the unit,” she said.

She described the practical challenges of immediately disbanding the PKTT, which was established in 2018.

The unit comprises investigators, combat teams, crime intelligence operatives, forensic teams, prosecutors, and other role players.

“A task team must have a demobilisation plan before it is disbanded,” Mosikili said.

“You cannot simply instruct such a team to cease operations overnight without considering court dockets already in progress, investigators’ relationships with prosecutors, witness and victim engagements, operational commitments, and financial implications of sudden withdrawal.”

Mosikili confirmed that there were differing views among police officials.

Some advocated for the immediate implementation of the Minister’s directive, while her recommendation was for a gradual withdrawal to ensure ongoing investigations and court matters were not disrupted.

 She presented these considerations in several meetings, including one on 27 January and a follow-up meeting on 6 March in Cape Town, attended by the National Commissioner, the Minister, Deputy National Commissioners, and senior officials.

The Deputy National Commissioner underlined the continuing need for task teams.

“Even where specialised units such as murder and robbery units exist, there will still be instances requiring supplementary national capacity,” she said.

 She noted that politically sensitive investigations, such as those handled by the PKTT, require members sourced from outside affected areas to maintain independence and operational effectiveness.

Mosikili also described her responsibilities during her acting period as National Commissioner from 31 December 2024 to 14 January 2025.

While managing both roles, she coordinated festive season operations, ensured continuity of investigations, prepared required reports, and planned for a smooth handover to the returning National Commissioner.

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