South Africa’s sidelined Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, returned to the spotlight on Tuesday, 2 December, as he appeared before the Madlanga Commission to defend his controversial decision to dissolve the National Political Killings Task Team (NPKTT). Mchunu asserted that his move was grounded in a 2019 work study report which advised that the specialised task team should be folded into the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Murder and Robbery Unit.

According to Mchunu, the study—approved by former national police commissioner Khehla Sitole—recommended the consolidation of several specialised units into one permanent structure. This structure was already mandated to oversee major violent crimes, including serial killings, police murders, political assassinations, and farm attacks. The minister claimed that allowing the NPKTT to continue as a standalone, temporary task team created duplication and operational inefficiencies.

Mchunu, appointed police minister in July 2024, is currently on special leave after President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended him in mid-2025 over wide-ranging allegations. Represented at the commission by senior counsel Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, Mchunu largely reiterated the explanations he previously gave to Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating the task team’s disbandment.

The Madlanga Commission is probing allegations of criminal infiltration, systemic corruption, and political manipulation within law enforcement. The inquiry stems from explosive claims made earlier by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. He alleged that senior officials, including Mchunu, attempted to derail investigations into organised crime networks operating in the province.

At the centre of the storm is Vuzimusi “Cat” Matlala — a businessman and alleged crime boss — and his reported intermediary, Brown Mogotsi. Mchunu is accused of having links to both men, accusations he has repeatedly denied. The NPKTT was reportedly closing in on Matlala when Mchunu ordered the task team’s shutdown on 31 December 2024, a decision that stunned policing experts and triggered public outrage.

Mkhwanazi later alleged that the disbandment was intended to protect politically connected individuals from prosecution. He further claimed that Matlala had a network of relationships within SAPS, including links to senior officials. During his testimony before Parliament, Matlala said he funded flights and accommodation for individuals aligned with Mchunu’s faction ahead of the ANC’s January 8th anniversary celebrations, purportedly to secure protection and safeguard his multimillion-rand police tender.

Meanwhile, at the commission, evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson SC presented communication records allegedly showing how Mogotsi relayed messages between Mchunu and Matlala using encrypted messaging applications. Mchunu dismissed the claim outright, insisting he “never participated” in any form of encrypted communication and never issued instructions through unofficial channels.

On Tuesday, Mchunu doubled down on his argument that the NPKTT was always an interim structure. Established in 2018, the task team underwent periodic assessments until 2021. After that, he said, its mandate was never formally renewed, rendering it irregular under the Public Finance Management Act. He maintained that dissolving the team fell squarely within his ministerial authority and denied concerns that he had interfered in operational policing matters.

Critics argue that Mchunu bypassed critical oversight structures — including the interministerial committee that originally set up the NPKTT — and acted without consulting SAPS leadership. National Commissioner Fannie Masemola testified that he was on leave when the directive was issued and said the minister’s decision appeared to deliberately sideline him.

The commission has also heard allegations implicating other senior figures, including suspended deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, who is accused of receiving bribes from Matlala. Mchunu told the commission that he was unaware of these allegations until they surfaced publicly and insisted that his long record in government had never before been tainted by corruption claims.

Mchunu is expected to return to the stand on Thursday and Friday for cross-examination as the inquiry continues to uncover the extent of alleged corruption and political interference within SAPS.

FAQ

1. Why was the National Political Killings Task Team disbanded?
Mchunu claims it was shut down because a 2019 study recommended folding it into a permanent SAPS unit to avoid duplication.

2. What is the Madlanga Commission investigating?
The commission is probing allegations of corruption, political meddling, and criminal infiltration within South Africa’s policing structures.

3. Who is Vuzimusi “Cat” Matlala?
He is an alleged crime kingpin accused of influencing policing structures and maintaining connections with senior officials.

4. Did Mchunu admit to communicating with Matlala or Mogotsi?
No. Mchunu denies having any links and rejects claims of encrypted communication.

5. Is the commission still ongoing?
Yes. Mchunu is scheduled for further cross-examination later in the week.