Deputy SAPS Minister blindsided by Political Killings Task Team disbandment

The Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, testified to a parliamentary ad hoc committee that he was caught completely off-guard by Minister Senzo Mchunu's directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

Giving evidence on the 13th day of the parliamentary hearings into police corruption, Mathale told evidence leader Norman Arendse that he first learned of the directive via social media.

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He confirmed that Minister Mchunu only called him in early January to inform him of the decision, reassuring him that he had personally drafted the letter.

The Deputy Minister expressed his surprise at the decision, stating he "didn't understand what could have motivated him [Mchunu] to pen such a letter in the manner that he did".

Mathale alsotold the committee that he found the Minister's letter to be "strongly-worded."

When questioned about his knowledge of the move, Mathale stated that he was unsure if Mchunu had consulted with President Cyril Ramaphosa before issuing the directive to dismantle the team.

Mathale insisted that the task team’s effectiveness was never in question, affirming that it had done "excellent work."

The Deputy Minister's testimony focused on his knowledge of the disbanding of the task team and whether proper protocol was followed.