Confusion over Masemola's suggestion he ignored directive to disband SAPS political task team

JOHANNESBURG - Confusion is mounting over the South African Police Service (SAPS) political task team after National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola suggested he ignored a directive to disband it.

On 31 December, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu wrote to Masemola, directing him to disband the task team, as it had served its purpose.

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At the weekend, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged the task team was shut down because it had uncovered a drug cartel with links to high-profile politicians, businesspeople, and members of the judiciary.

Mkhwanazi said it was the Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya who took away the 121 dockets the political task team was investigating.

During an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Sibiya said he was acting on the instruction of a letter by Masemola to disband the task team.

However, at a media briefing on Wednesday, Masemola denied having signed off on the disbandment of the task team.

“You have not seen any letter that I have signed to close the unit. I have not signed it, and I don’t think anybody has seen a letter where I sign off the closure of the unit.”

Masemola has emphasised he is required by law to implement policy directives by the police minister, despite having seemingly ignored Mchunu's instruction to disband the task team.