Fannie Masemola Says Senzo Mchunu Saw Political Killings As ‘Just Murders’, South Africans Furious
- General Fannie Masemola explained why Senzo Mchunu decided to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT)
- The National Police Commissioner said that the Minister of Police didn't believe there was a need for a specialised team
- South Africans shared their thoughts online about the reason, reacting furiously to what Mchunu allegedly said
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – Senzo Mchunu’s justification for disbanding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) has raised serious concern online.
The Minister of Police claimed that there were no political killings in the country since 1994, and so there was no need for a specialised team.
That’s according to General Fannie Masemola, who continued testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The National Police Commissioner was testifying about Mchunu’s decision on day five of the commission, held at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, on 23 September 2025.
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What did Mchunu say about the disbandment?
According to Masemola, Mchunu argued that there were no political killings in the country after 1994. He explained that the police minister claimed that “political killings took place somewhere pre-1994 and not after,” saying that anything afterwards was just murders.
Masemola rejected this view, saying that the killings of politicians were over internal party succession battles and competition for votes and positions. The PKTT was established in 2018 after the Moerane Commission in 2014 found that political killings were on the rise in KwaZulu-Natal. The task team’s work was later expanded to other provinces.
Source: Getty Images
Mchunu avoided talking about the task team
Masemola also added that the minister avoided briefings on the task team’s work and would become upset whenever the unit was mentioned in meetings. The National Police Commissioner said that he could never understand the eagerness to disband, saying that it seemed as if Mchunu didn’t want to see the task team members together.
During his testimony, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi claimed that Mchunu dissolved the task team through a WhatsApp message, without being briefed about its work. He stated that the disbandment came as the task team was closing in on drug cartels linked to Katiso Molefe and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
What you need to know about Masemola’s testimony
- Masemola sparked mixed reactions during his first day of testimony with his ‘it depends’ answer.
- The National Police Commissioner praised the work done by the Political Killings Task Team.
- General Masemola alleged that councillors faked assassination attempts to get funds for more security.
- The National Police Commissioner slammed Minister Mchunu for disbanding the task team.
- General Masemola stated that a whistleblower alerted him of Matlala’s alleged connection with the police.
How did South Africans react to Mchunu’s statement?
Social media users were not impressed with the minister’s reason, slamming the decision online.
@Wolwevanger exclaimed:
“Just murders? Tell that to the families of ANC and IFP councillors who've been systematically targeted. Political motive changes everything about how these cases should be investigated.”
@MazwiZuma stated:
“He must tell that to the family of Magaqa and others. Useless.”
@thokzicbase questioned:
“Wow. So, the murders are okay? To make matters worse, it's his comrades who are getting killed, and the PKTT was trying to get to the bottom of those killings. I don't know why the ANC is not angered by this.”
@thabathanim stated:
“He suggested that to the Parliamentary Committee also. He can’t deny that. The video is out there for everyone to watch.”
@moflavadj asked:
“How did he even become a minister?”
Masemola says Ramaphosa knew about task team's disbandment
Briefly News reported that Masemola alleged that President Cyril Ramaphosa was aware of the disbandment of the task team.
Masemola testified during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that Ramaphosa greenlit the disbandment.
The Presidency responded to Masemola's testimony, and South Africans were not impressed with Ramaphosa.
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Source: Briefly News
