Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale has revealed that he was not informed about the formation or operations of the controversial Police Key Task Team (PKTT) — a secretive unit allegedly established under the direct instruction of top SAPS officials.
Appearing before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on Police Oversight on Tuesday, Mathale admitted he only learned about the task team through the media and whistleblower reports, not through official channels. His revelation has fueled growing concerns over transparency and accountability within the Police Ministry, already under fire for internal divisions and irregular structures.
The PKTT reportedly handled sensitive investigations, some linked to political figures and senior officers, raising fears that the unit may have operated outside standard protocols. When pressed by MPs, Mathale conceded that his office was “completely sidelined”, describing the situation as “deeply concerning and unacceptable.”
Sources within the committee say the disclosure has put additional pressure on Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to explain how such a critical task team could exist without the knowledge of his deputy.
Political analysts argue that the revelation highlights a deeper crisis of communication and trust within the leadership of SAPS. “If the deputy minister was excluded, it signals institutional breakdown or deliberate concealment,” said governance expert Dr. Lindiwe Motaung.
The Ad Hoc Committee is expected to demand a full report on the PKTT’s mandate, membership, and operations by the end of the week — a move that could expose further fractures within the ministry’s top ranks.