Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu returned to the Madlanga Commission on Friday where he faced renewed scrutiny over his decision to dissolve the Political Killings Task Team without engaging senior police leadership.
During his testimony on Thursday, Mchunu acknowledged that he had issued the instruction without any formal discussions, briefings or meetings with the country’s top police officials. The task team had been created to tackle the growing number of politically motivated assassinations in KwaZulu Natal and other high risk areas.
His admission surprised the commission and raised serious questions about governance, oversight and the strained relationship between the executive and the police command.
Back on the stand on Friday, Mchunu attempted to expand on his reasoning. He said the decision stemmed from concerns about duplication, inefficiency and a lack of coordination among specialised investigative units.
He added that the responsibilities of the task team were intended to be incorporated into wider policing structures, although he conceded that communication around the move had been poorly handled.
Commission chair Justice Mandisa Madlanga questioned whether the sudden disbandment had weakened ongoing investigations or created opportunities for criminal groups involved in political violence.
Mchunu maintained that the police service was still capable of addressing politically linked killings, but the commission indicated that it would continue probing the impact of the decision as hearings progress.
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