Mathale tells ad hoc committee he supported disbanding of PKTT for the right reasons

Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale said he supported the disbanding of the political killings task team by Minister Senzo Mchunu, despite its excellent record.

Mathale said that while the team’s effectiveness could not be questioned, he supported disbanding the task team for the right reasons and to ensure police resources were evenly deployed to investigate serious crimes like murder and robbery.

Mathale was responding to questions from the ad hoc committee investigating police corruption on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: Deputy SAPS Minister blindsided by Political Killings Task Team disbandment

The deputy minister said he was surprised when he learned of Mchunu’s decision to disband the task team on social media.

"On social media, that’s where I picked it up and he then called me."

But Mathale said he supported the idea of disbanding the task team for the right reasons.

He told MPs that he wasn’t entirely convinced with the directive from Mchunu and how he found out after the fact.

But he told Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls that he supported the disbanding, but serious and violent crime investigations must be strengthened.

"My reason is you strengthen the capacity to do investigation work around murder and robbery-related cases."

Mathale concluded his evidence in just one day and is expected to be followed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)'s Investigating Directorate head, Advocate Anthea Johnson, next week.