Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale on Tuesday disclosed that he first learned about the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) through social media, rather than through official channels.

Testifying at the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Mathale said Mchunu did not consult him prior to the controversial decision and only called him around January 2 to confirm that he wrote the letter of directives.

“We had been interacting all along about everything that is to do with policing, but this specific one, this is how we learnt about it unfortunately,” he said.

At first Mathale dismissed the letter because it was odd as it was a monumental decision, thinking it was fake.

“I did not understand what could have motivated him to pen such a letter in the manner he did,” he said, adding that it was difficult to comprehend how it would be practical to dismantle the team immediately.

“It was saying the PKTT is disbanded with immediate effect and that a plan must be submitted by 20 January and a close up report (submitted) by end of the month. It was not practical to do these things.”

Mathale was testifying at the parliamentary inquiry that was sparked by the media briefing by Mkhwanazi, months after Mchunu issued directives to National Commissioner Fannie Masemola ordering the disbandment of PKTT and freezing vacancies in the Crime Intelligence unit.

Mathale confirmed that Mchunu did not consult him about the directive disbanding the PKTT before issuing his December 2024 directive.

“The only time that he spoke to me was after the letter was out and he was saying, yes, I have penned the letter, don’t be surprised.”

He also said he did not ask Mchunu for his reasons, saying as a minister Mchunu could write down his decisions so that there is no misinterpretation.

“Whether he is legally correct or wrong I am not able to interpret,” said the deputy minister.

In his earlier testimony, Mathale said they had been briefed about the various SAPS divisions, the police organisational structure and challenges facing the country after being appointed to the executive.

He said in the discussions with top police management, they determined to do away with the inspectorate directorate and separate visible policing and operational response.

The deputy minister told the inquiry that the meetings of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), which played a political oversight role on the PKTT, were held infrequently and that he attended two of its meetings.

Mathale was adamant that the task team did an excellent job and he never got an impression that there were problems with the PKTT.

“Their effectiveness has never been an issue that was questioned. That question was never asked.”

Asked whether he, Mchunu and Deputy Minister Polly Boshielo had discussed the PKTT between July and December 2024, Mathale said their discussions was around the SAPS structure and the need to handle things in a manner that strengthened capacity.

He also recalled a discussion around Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo heading the PKTT, instead of focusing on the Crime Intelligence unit on a fulltime basis and the need for a senior officer to take responsibility of the task team.

Mathale indicated that his understanding was that the discussion included Masemola and there was to be an engagement with all role players.

“The ultimate dissolution will have taken place after interacting with all the relevant players, and this includes them,” he said when asked about the non-consultation with Mkhwanazi and Khumalo on the disbandment of the PKTT.

Chief evidence leader, Advocate Norman Arendse, SC, asked whether there had been any doubt that the task team was operating legally within the prescripts of SAPS, with an allocated budget and that it fell under the authority of Masemola.

“The discussions around this was not based on legality of the unit. I don’t remember a meeting where we discussed whether the task team was legal or not. That never arose.”

Mchunu claimed in his testimony that the PKTT was operating illegally, its lifespan was extended unprocedurally and there was no IMC in the seventh administration.

Mathale denied knowing Brown Mogotsi, the controversial North West businessman who has been described as an information peddler.

.“I don’t know that one.”

He also said he did not know attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

“Personally I don’t know him. I only came to know him when these issues started to hit the wall and it was in the public space, I did not have the opportunity to meet him,” he said.

Mathale was asked about Mkhwanazi’s July 6 press briefing, where Mkhwanazi made public his concerns over the disbanding of the PKTT as he could not secure a meeting with Mchunu.

Mathale said had this meeting between Mkhwanazi and Mchunu taken place, there would be no inquiry now.

“He wanted to engage with the minister but that platform was not provided. If given the opportunity to engage with executive authority, probably, we could not have arrived where we are.”

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

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