President Cyril Ramaphosa has not confirmed or denied claims by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu that he approved the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), saying he will only respond once the Madlanga Commission concludes its inquiry.

The commission is investigating criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system.

Ramaphosa, speaking to reporters on Monday during a visit to anti-apartheid stalwart Tlou Theophilus Cholo in Pretoria, said it would be inappropriate to offer a “running commentary” on an active judicial inquiry.

“I appointed the Madlanga Commission to investigate allegations made against Minister Senzo Mchunu. A lot has been said, and a lot more will be said.

“I will await the conclusion of the proceedings and the submission of the commission’s report before making any comments,” Ramaphosa said.

The president’s remarks come amid escalating controversy over the December 2024 disbandment of the PKTT — a specialised unit tasked with investigating politically motivated killings, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

Last week, Mchunu told Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing corruption within the SAPS that he had briefed Ramaphosa about his decision and received the president’s full backing.

“I briefed the president, and he agreed with the briefing I gave him,” Mchunu told the committee under oath.

However, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, in his testimony before the Madlanga Commission, offered a conflicting account.

Masemola said that while Ramaphosa was aware of Mchunu’s directive, he had previously expressed support for the task team’s work and was “taken aback” by its sudden dissolution.

“Mchunu told me the president had agreed [to the disbandment], but I was surprised because the president had earlier praised the team’s dedication and performance,” said Masemola.

Mchunu formally ordered the disbandment of the PKTT in a letter dated December 31, 2024, addressed to Masemola, instructing the immediate cessation of the task team’s operations.

Responding to this, Ramaphosa emphasised that out of “respect for due process and the work of Justice Madlanga and his fellow commissioners,” he would refrain from public engagement on the matter until the inquiry concludes.

“It’s only correct that we wait until the commission has completed its work,” he added.

The Madlanga Commission continues its hearings, with its earlier report expected late this year or early next year.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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