Johannesburg - The disbandment of the political killings task team (PKTT), established to investigate politically motivated killings, has raised serious concerns. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has voiced his suspicion regarding the manner in which the PKTT was dismantled, calling it 'devastating'.
Why the Disbandment is Raising Eyebrows
Masemola revealed to Parliament that he disagreed with the decision to disband the special crime-fighting unit. This decision was reportedly made through a directive from the suspended Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu.
Further adding to the intrigue, Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, the deputy police commissioner, allegedly pushed for the immediate disbandment of the PKTT, despite not being directly involved in its operations. This revelation came during Masemola's testimony before parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption within the criminal justice system.
Sibiya's Role Under Scrutiny
According to Masemola, Sibiya brought the letter ordering the disbandment to his office for signature, even though he was not part of the task team. Masemola stated, 'I indicated to him to leave the matter, but he was of the view the disbandment should happen immediately.' He further explained that the sensitive nature of the PKTT's work meant that information was limited to a select few, and that politicians in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) were keen to know about their investigations.
The PKTT was disestablished in December 2024, and Masemola was on leave at the time. He learned about the disbandment through WhatsApp messages from colleagues after the letter had been circulated on social media. Upon his return, he initially ignored the letter, but Sibiya reportedly pressed him to sign it, leading to the unit's disbandment.
The circumstances surrounding the PKTT's disbandment are now subject to intense scrutiny, raising questions about potential political interference and the impact on investigations into politically motivated killings in KZN.