The members of Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal provincial head Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have said that the testimony from former Minister Bheki Cele will be critical.

Cele was the minister of Police from February 2018 to June 17, 2024, preceding the tenure of suspended Minister Senzo Mchunu.

Cele is expected to give testimony on Thursday and Friday, and share insight into the oft-cited 2019 work study, which established a new SAPS structure without the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), and which has been used by Mchunu as justification for his disbandment of the PKTT.

uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s (MKP) Thulani Shongwe said they anticipate Cele’s testimony being pivotal in shedding light on these matters.

“As the former minister who oversaw the establishment and initial operations of the PKTT under the Inter-Ministerial Committee, Cele’s insights into its mandate, successes, and the 2019 work study (which Mchunu has cited as justification for disbandment) are essential.

“Notably, Lt-Gen Khumalo has already testified that Cele issued no operational directives to the team, receiving only progress reports, a stark contrast to Mchunu’s unilateral actions,” Shongwe said.

“Given MKP’s consistent calls for Cele to appear since the committee’s formation in August, we expect his evidence to clarify whether the PKTT’s dissolution was a legitimate efficiency measure or a capitulation to criminal influences, as alleged.

“This could finally connect the dots on how political killings in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and beyond were allowed to persist unchecked. We look forward to rigorous questioning to ensure no stone is left unturned,” he said.

Freedom Front Plus’ Wouter Wessels said: “It’s important to get former minister Bheki Cele’s version, and concerning what was in front of him as minister, in terms of the ineffectiveness, the problems, and the complaints about the PKTT?

“And if there is merit in that or not, because according to the version of Minister Mchunu, there were issues discussed during Cele’s tenure already, and I think that is why it’s important to get his version as well.”

The Democratic Alliance’s Ian Cameron said: “From what Minister Mchunu has said, it also seems that a lot of the issues popping up go far deeper than just the operations of the PKTT. Access to budget and/or money seems to come up regularly.

“I believe Cele’s appearance can assist us with more clarity, as much of what has happened was under his watch and some of it even reaching back to his tenure as national commissioner. It is likely that more skeletons will be revealed by his testimony.”

ANC’s Xola Nqola said: “You will recall that the evidence of the minister (Mchunu) does touch on the work study. We’re here because of the work study, as the work study would have influenced how the organogram was structured. He must come and explain the work study, and all issues related to his tenure as minister of police… We want to know what happened.”

ActionSA’s Dereleen James said: “When you actually understand how and when things unfolded, you then realise that the minister (Mchunu) is actually piggybacking off decisions that were made sort of outside of his decision. His decision more or less was very haphazard.

“It was allegedly prompted by the fact that there were 10 members deployed to the Counter-Intelligence that were sort of rattling cages. So, at this point, it’s going to be interesting to listen to former minister Bheki Cele.

“Already, I’ve just taken a squiz through his testimony, and I mean allegations that he says there that Minister Mchunu actually met with Cat Matlala. Well, we will wait until Thursday to hear more.”

Inkatha Freedom Party’s Mangaqa Albert Mncwango said: “I think he has a lot to say about the activities of the PKTT, and he will be able to throw some light on certain aspects which are not clear. The current minister, to some extent, you might even feel sorry for him because he inherited some of the things that are beginning to emerge here.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

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