Speaking at the Madlanga Commission this morning, SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola described Minister Senzo Mchunu’s directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team as “totally an encroachment” into the mandate of the National Commissioner.
Masemola emphasized that while Ministers provide strategic guidance, operational and managerial control rests solely with the National Commissioner. “The Minister gives direction, but it is my responsibility to implement it,” she said during testimony before the Commission.
The Political Killings Task Team investigates politically motivated murders, a highly sensitive and high-profile area of crime. The Commissioner warned that ministerial instructions over operational matters undermine police independence and could compromise investigations.
“Deciding to disband a specialized task team without consultation is beyond the Minister’s authority,” Masemola said. “It constitutes an encroachment into the mandate of the National Commissioner.”
During the hearing, the Commission also explored the legal and administrative framework governing SAPS operations, including the Constitution, the Police Act, and the Service’s strategic plan, which define the separation between political oversight and operational management.
The testimony highlights ongoing tensions between political authority and police independence, particularly in high-stakes operations involving public safety and politically sensitive investigations.