By Johnathan Paoli
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has told Parliament that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu issued “suspicious” and ultimately “illegal” instructions to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), a move he says he resisted but could not stop.
Appearing before Parliament’s ad-hoc committee probing allegations of criminal infiltration of the police, Masemola described in detail how he was presented with Mchunu’s directive while on leave, and later faced pressure to immediately dissolve the unit investigating political assassinations.
“The directive looked very suspicious. I did the best I could. If I have to be blamed today, that’s okay,” he said.
However, opposition MPs were sceptical.
ActionSA MP Dereleen James opened the day’s questioning with a blunt challenge. She accused him of “giving in” to political pressure, saying he had failed to stand up to Mchunu.
She accused him of “letting the country down”.
Masemola insisted the team
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
