Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has defended his controversial decision to disband the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). He testified for four days before a parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating claims of criminal infiltration within the police service. Mchunu maintained his decision was justified.
Mchunu faced intense questioning from MPs. The inquiry centres on allegations made by KZN police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Mchunu of having links to criminal syndicates. He also claimed the decision to disband the police task team was influenced by crime suspects. Mchunu has denied these allegations.
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Scrutiny over alleged criminal links
During the hearing, Mchunu was grilled about his alleged association with controversial figures. These include businessman Brown Mogotsi and murder-accused Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mchunu denied knowing Matlala. He used an affidavit from Matlala to support this claim.
Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls supported Mchunu’s decision. Sauls questioned the police task team’s value for money, noting its high budget and limited operations in KZN. Mchunu argued the unit’s value had decreased over time. He insisted he would have made the same decision despite public outrage.
The inquiry continues, with former police minister Bheki Cele scheduled to testify next. The hearings run parallel to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Both are probing Mkhwanazi’s allegations.
Image: Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in Parliament on 21 October 2025. [Credit: Phando Jikelo/RSA Parliament]
