Ramaphosa denies approving disbandment of PKTT
President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied approving the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), saying he was not consulted before Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's 2024 decision.
In a written submission to Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the justice system, Ramaphosa said he was informed of the decision by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on 1 February 2025.
Masemola indicated that Mchunu had instructed that the task team be disbanded.
"In answer to questions 25 and 26; on or about 1 February 2025, I was informed by the National Commissioner of Police that he had been instructed by the Minister of Police, then Minister Mchunu, to disband the PKTT. He made clear that he disagreed with this decision," wrote Ramaphosa.
The President says he met with Mchunu on 13 February 2025 to discuss the matter.
"I conveyed my dissatisfaction at not having been consulted prior to this decision being taken. I furthermore indicated that, in my view, this was a decision for the National Commissioner to make. I made clear my desire to be kept abreast of any further decisions that would impact the work to be done in relation to political killings."
The president also stressed to the Minister that the disbandment would not affect ongoing investigations.
"It was my understanding from the National Commissioner that the PKTT would not be disbanded and its work would continue, the directive notwithstanding. I expected to be briefed, as had been the normal course in previous years, on any political killings cases, arrests and prosecutions going forward."
Ramaphosa has rejected allegations that he interfered with investigations or that the disbandment was intended to undermine ongoing probes.
"I was not aware of any attempt to shut down investigations. Politically motivated killings have been a longstanding concern, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, and require sustained coordination across the security cluster," he wrote.
The president’s account contradicts Mchunu’s testimony last year, in which the former minister claimed he had informed Ramaphosa and received his support for disbanding the PKTT.
Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on a leave of absence in July 2025.
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