Directive to disband PKTT was for lawful reasons, Mchunu tells Parly

Minister Senzo Mchunu has assured Parliament that his directive to disband the political killings task team (PKTT) was for lawful reasons.

Mchunu also said his decision to disband the task team was within his constitutional rights as minister and at no point, did he exceed his powers.

ALSO READ:

• Mchunu denies links to crime syndicates, criminally-implicated individuals
• Mchunu says PKTT was running rampant & not coordinated
• Mchunu defends directive to disband PKTT before Parliament

He told Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption that task teams by design have a limited lifespan and have to be disbanded once they fulfill their mandate.

Mchunu was at pains as he tried to explain his decision to disband the task team and not informing the likes of National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and KwaZulu-Natal top cop Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

He said his decision to disband the team, despite its successes, was not taken lightly and was also aimed at saving financial resources.

Mchunu told the ad hoc committee that he was always on the right side of the law.

“I believe the reason to disband the PKTT, as I’ve said, was for lawful reasons. It was not for unlawful reasons - not at all.”

He said if a task team is established through a political decision, it should also be discontinued through the same method.

“If a political intervention can establish a task team, why can’t the same political intervention be allowed when it comes to disestablishing?”

Mchunu will return on Friday morning to continue his evidence.