National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has made a significant revelation during his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, stating that he personally informed President Cyril Ramaphosa about an attempt by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the highly successful Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
Masemola testified on Monday in Pretoria, where the commission is currently investigating allegations of widespread police corruption and political interference in law enforcement structures. His testimony shed light on the internal tensions at the top levels of South Africa’s police leadership, particularly regarding the handling of politically motivated assassinations—many of which have plagued KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in recent years.
Masemola Opposed Disbandment of Political Killings Task Team
A significant portion of Masemola’s testimony focused on the attempted dissolution of the PKTT, a specialized unit tasked with investigating political killings, particularly in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal where such violence has become endemic.
Masemola stated clearly that he opposed Minister Mchunu’s instruction to disband the unit, citing its vital role in delivering justice in politically charged murder cases. However, despite his objections, he eventually conceded due to mounting political and internal pressure.
“When I realized that Minister Mchunu was determined to dissolve the unit, I felt I had no other option but to escalate the matter to the president,” said Masemola.
At the center of the controversy is the interpretation of Section 207(2) of the Constitution, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of the National Police Commissioner. According to this section, the commissioner must exercise control over SAPS “in accordance with the directions of the minister of police”.
Masemola acknowledged that this section was cited by Minister Mchunu to justify the instruction to disband the task team. However, Masemola argued that the instruction was not constitutionally sound, especially given the operational independence required to investigate high-level crimes like political assassinations.
“I can’t go to court and take the minister to court,” Masemola explained, “but the only avenue I knew was to inform the president. In this case, General [Nhlanhla] Mkhwanazi had already reported the issue to the portfolio committee on police, and still, nothing was done.”
Adding further weight to Masemola’s testimony are the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who also appeared before the commission. Mkhwanazi has suggested that the instruction to disband the PKTT may have been politically motivated, potentially aimed at shielding criminal syndicates embedded in or connected to state structures.
Mkhwanazi’s claims echoed longstanding fears that certain powerful figures within government or law enforcement may be obstructing justice in politically sensitive investigations.
Masemola did not directly confirm Mkhwanazi’s accusations but stressed that the task team had been effective, and that disbanding it would compromise investigations into politically motivated killings—many of which remain unresolved.
Masemola used the platform to defend the track record of the Political Killings Task Team, describing it as one of the most effective units in SAPS when it comes to tackling complex criminal cases tied to political violence.
The team has been instrumental in several high-profile investigations, and many within SAPS credit its work for breaking new ground in cases that would otherwise have been buried under bureaucracy or corruption.
“While this was a ministerial instruction, I do not believe that dissolving the task team serves the best interest of justice or the victims of these crimes,” Masemola told the commission.
As Masemola continues to testify before the Madlanga Commission, the spotlight remains fixed on the ongoing conflict between political directives and operational independence within SAPS. The case highlights the fragile balance of power between the police ministry and the office of the national commissioner—a dynamic that could have long-term implications for governance and law enforcement in South Africa.
Masemola’s decision to involve the president shows how critical he viewed the issue, and how far he was willing to go to preserve the integrity of the task team.
The commission is expected to continue hearing testimonies from key stakeholders in the days ahead, and Masemola is likely to return with more evidence regarding political interference, police corruption, and internal SAPS dynamics.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has taken a bold stand by revealing efforts to undermine a crucial investigative unit and by publicly opposing what he described as an unconstitutional directive. His testimony at the Madlanga Commission paints a picture of a deeply troubled law enforcement system, caught between the demands of political power and the pursuit of justice.
As more evidence surfaces, Masemola’s role in defending the SAPS’s integrity may be seen as a pivotal moment in the broader fight against corruption and political violence in South Africa.
Source- EWN
