Justice Minister Questioned Over Disbandment of Police Unit Without Consultation

Key Takeaways:

• Senzo Mchunu, the minister of police, is under scrutiny for disbanding the National Political Killings Task Team (NPKTT) without consulting senior SAPS leaders.
• Mchunu’s decision has been questioned by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, chair of the Madlanga Commission, who finds it "very strange" that the minister did not discuss the disbandment with Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola before issuing the directive.
• Mchunu has denied any links to tenderpreneur and organized crime accused Vuzimusi "Cat" Matlala, who was being investigated by the NPKTT at the time of its disbandment.
• The commission is set to deliver its interim report to President Cyril Ramaphosa by December 17, which will shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the disbandment of the NPKTT.

Introduction to the Madlanga Commission
The Madlanga Commission, led by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has been investigating the disbandment of the National Political Killings Task Team (NPKTT) and the alleged links between Senzo Mchunu, the minister of police, and tenderpreneur and organized crime accused Vuzimusi "Cat" Matlala. On December 4, 2025, Mchunu testified before the commission, facing intense cross-examination from Madlanga. The minister’s decision to disband the NPKTT has been questioned, with Madlanga finding it "very strange" that Mchunu did not discuss the disbandment with Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola before issuing the directive on December 31, 2024.

Mchunu’s Testimony
Mchunu’s testimony was marked by evasive answers and a lack of clarity on his decision-making process. He claimed that he had a good relationship with Masemola, but failed to explain why he did not consult with him before disbanding the NPKTT. Mchunu also stated that he had not discussed the disbandment with any senior SAPS leaders, despite the gravity of the decision. Madlanga pointed out that Mchunu’s justification for disbanding the NPKTT, that it was never meant to be a permanent structure, was based on a years-old document and did not take into account the team’s exceptional performance and declining political murder figures.

Allegations of Obstruction of Justice
The disbandment of the NPKTT has raised allegations of obstruction of justice, with KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi claiming that top officials had conspired to obstruct investigations into criminal syndicates. Mchunu has denied any links to Matlala, who testified before Parliament’s ad hoc committee that he had paid bribes to former police minister Bheki Cele and had supported Mchunu’s ANC presidency campaign. The commission’s investigation will shed more light on these allegations and the circumstances surrounding the disbandment of the NPKTT.

Madlanga’s Skepticism
Madlanga’s skepticism of Mchunu’s testimony was evident throughout the hearing. The chair pointed out that Mchunu’s justification for disbanding the NPKTT would only make sense if he had actually consulted SAPS management and if they had expressed these views before he took the decision. Madlanga also challenged Mchunu on his claim that the NPKTT’s expenditure could not be justified, asking if he had compared its costs with those of other task teams. Mchunu admitted that he had not made such a comparison, leading Madlanga to question why he was focused on the NPKTT and not on other task teams.

Conclusion and Next Steps
The Madlanga Commission’s investigation into the disbandment of the NPKTT is nearing its conclusion, with the commission set to deliver its interim report to President Cyril Ramaphosa by December 17. The report will provide more insight into the circumstances surrounding the disbandment and the alleged links between Mchunu and Matlala. The commission’s findings will be closely watched, as they have the potential to shed light on the extent of corruption and obstruction of justice within the SAPS and the government. As the commission concludes its public hearings, it is clear that the disbandment of the NPKTT has raised more questions than answers, and that the truth behind Mchunu’s decision will only be fully revealed in the coming weeks.