Fannie Masemola Slams Senzo Mchunu Allegedly Disbanding Political Killings Task Team
- The South African Police Service National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola was the second witness to testify at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
- His testimony followed that of KwaZulu-Natal police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanzi, who testified for two days
- Masemola weighed in on suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team
With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, commissions of inquiry, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.
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PRETORIA, GAUTENG — The National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola was not happy that the suspended Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, allegedly ordered the disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team. He made the remarks on the fourth day of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry public hearings on 22 September 2025 in Tshwane, Gauteng.
Masemola appeared as the second witness to testify at the Commission of Inquiry. His testimony comes after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi testified. Masemola said that the Minister is responsible for issuing the national policing policy.
Masemola discusses Mchunu's role
Masemola gave an example and said that Mchunu could provide policy direction for issues like gangsterism in the Cape Flats in the Western Cape. He pointed out, however, that the operational aspects of policing must be left to Masemola and the South African Police Service to decide.
"I don't expect the minister to get involved in the 'how' part of it, in terms of executing the functions. But I expect that he can identify the priority," he said.
What did he say about the Political Killings Task Team?
Masemola said that the Political Killings Task Team is at a low level and is operating under a provincial commissioner. He said that Mchunu would have had to discuss any issues he had with the task team.
"To go further and say 'disband', but then after saying 'disband' and you go further to say 'now, now, now', not even tomorrow, I think that is totally encroaching on the mandate of the National Commissioner."
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What you need to know about the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
- Mkhwanazi accused Ekurhuleni senior police officer General Julius Mkhwanazi of registering attempted-murder accused Vusimuzi Matlala's vehicles as state vehicles
- The KZN provincial commissioner also said that the justice system freed repeat offenders and used Senzo Meyiwa murder-accused Fisokuhle Ntuli as an example
- Mkhwanazi also said that the Presidency tried to interfere with the police's investigation of murders at a mine in Richards Bay
- The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) launched an investigation into an officer who allegedly used state resources to benefit murder-accused businessman Katiso Molefe
- Mkhwanazi also described criminal elements threatening the country's security as terrorists who are attempting to take over the government
Fadiel Adams responds after Mkhwanazi slams him
In a related article, Briefly News reported that National Coloured Congress President and MP Fadiel Adams defended himself. This was after Mkhwanazi accused him of having access to classified crime intelligence information.
Adams slammed Mkhwanazi in return. He said that the information he received was slipped under his office door.
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Source: Briefly News
