Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale learned about his superior's decision to dissolve a specialized murder investigation unit through social media posts rather than official government communication. Mathale testified on Tuesday before parliamentary investigators that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu never consulted him before issuing the December directive to close the Political Killings Task Team. The deputy minister initially dismissed online reports as fabricated, since the announcement seemed implausible without advance notice.
Mathale told committee members he remained uncertain whether President Cyril Ramaphosa received notification about dismantling the unit that investigated politically motivated homicides in KwaZulu-Natal province. The deputy minister characterized the team as a presidential initiative because Ramaphosa established the inter-ministerial framework that created it in 2018. Mathale said the unit performed effectively and questioned what prompted Mchunu to write such forcefully worded instructions. The parliamentary inquiry examines allegations that politicians interfere with law enforcement operations across South Africa's police agencies.
Mathale told committee members he remained uncertain whether President Cyril Ramaphosa received notification about dismantling the unit that investigated politically motivated homicides in KwaZulu-Natal province. The deputy minister characterized the team as a presidential initiative because Ramaphosa established the inter-ministerial framework that created it in 2018. Mathale said the unit performed effectively and questioned what prompted Mchunu to write such forcefully worded instructions. The parliamentary inquiry examines allegations that politicians interfere with law enforcement operations across South Africa's police agencies.
