Masemola: Minister’s order to disband task team was an ‘encroachment’

National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, says suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s order to disband the Political Killings Task Team was a complete infringement on his mandate.

Speaking before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, which is probing allegations of political and criminal infiltration in the justice system, Masemola outlined the distinct roles and limits of both a minister and a police commissioner, saying Mchunu overstepped in disbanding KZN task team.

His testimony corroborates that of KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who last week said he was unaware of the disbandment and that Mchunu’s decision fell outside his ministerial authority.

Masemola explained that while a minister provides policy direction, operational and managerial control of the police rests with national and provincial commissioners. When asked whether he would follow a ministerial order that interfered with police operations, Masemola was unequivocal: he would not, even if it limited his career.

He dismissed Mchunu’s reasons for the disbandment, which included claims that the team had no value within the police force.

The Commissioner insisted that the task team’s success was unmatched telling the commission that with 612 active dockets, over half of which were from KwaZulu-Natal, the team was one of the SAPS’s most effective units.

He pointed to major breakthroughs in cold cases that had stalled for years, saying Mchunu’s claims made no sense.

This follows Mkhwanazi’s July allegation that Mchunu disbanded the team because it was allegedly infiltrated by criminals.

Masemola added that he met Mchunu on March 6 in an attempt to reverse the decision and even sought President Cyril Ramaphosa’s intervention to prevent the shutdown.

The national commissioner said the disbandment disrupted key stakeholders, including the National Prosecuting Authority.

He is expected to continue with his testimony on Tuesday.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe