MCHUNU FIGHTS FOR HIS POLITICAL LIFE: "INEVITABLE" DECISION TO DISBAND TASK TEAM UNDER FIRE

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief of The Azanian

Pretoria - Sidelined Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is fighting to save his job, defending his decision to disband the National Political Killings Task Team (NPKTT) as "inevitable" before the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday.

Mchunu, who was placed on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2025, told the commission that the NPKTT was always meant to be a temporary structure, established in 2018 to handle serial murders, police killings, and farm attacks. He argued that maintaining a separate task team was unwarranted and led to unnecessary overlap in operations.

However, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has accused Mchunu of overstepping his authority by disbanding the task team, raising concerns of political interference in SAPS. Masemola testified that the unit delivered tangible results, particularly in reviving "stubborn" cases that had stalled for years.

Mchunu has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that his engagements with police structures have always been lawful, procedural, and aimed at strengthening policing capabilities. He has also denied allegations of corruption, saying, "I have never been accused of corruption, not once".

The Madlanga Commission is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within law enforcement, following claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that top officials had conspired to obstruct investigations into criminal syndicates.

Mchunu's fate hangs in the balance as he fights to clear his name and save his job. President Cyril Ramaphosa has remained tight-lipped on the matter, saying he will await the commission's report before making any comments.

The commission is expected to continue hearing evidence, with Masemola set to testify further. Mchunu will return to the commission on Thursday and Friday for cross-examination.