Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, has revealed that he initially thought it was a hoax when he received information about Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu’s New Year’s Eve directive to dissolve the Presidential Key Task Team (PKTT).
Speaking before the Ad Hoc Committee on Security and Governance on Monday, Mathale said he was “taken aback” by Mchunu’s decision, describing the timing and manner of the announcement as “unusual and confusing.”
“I honestly thought it was fake when I first heard about it,” Mathale told the committee. “It came out of nowhere, and no prior consultation or official correspondence was made with the relevant ministries, including the police.”
The PKTT, which was established in 2021 under the Office of the President, was tasked with coordinating high-level operations between various departments, including Police, Defence, and Water and Sanitation, to address critical infrastructure sabotage and organized crime affecting public utilities.
According to Mathale, the task team had made notable progress in stabilizing key installations and dismantling several criminal networks linked to infrastructure theft and vandalism. He expressed concern that dissolving the team without an alternative structure in place could compromise national security efforts.
“The PKTT was not perfect, but it provided a coordinated response to the threats we face as a country. Disbanding it in such a manner, especially on New Year’s Eve, raises serious questions about motives and procedure,” Mathale said.
Sources within the Ministry of Water and Sanitation claim that Minister Mchunu’s decision was based on allegations of inefficiency and internal disputes within the task team. However, insiders in the security cluster have dismissed these claims, arguing that the move was politically motivated and poorly timed.
Parliamentary members from opposition parties have since called for clarity, demanding a detailed explanation from Mchunu on the rationale behind his decision and whether President Cyril Ramaphosa had sanctioned the order.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has not issued an official statement on the matter, fueling speculation about a possible rift between senior government officials over control of key national projects.
As the controversy unfolds, Mathale maintained that his priority remains ensuring the continuity of security operations. “Regardless of administrative changes, our commitment to protecting South Africans and safeguarding infrastructure stands firm,” he said.
The disbandment of the PKTT has now opened a heated debate over transparency, accountability, and the apparent lack of coordination within government departments tasked with national safety.