The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, yesterday engaged with Deputy Minister of Police Mr Cassel Mathale.
Yesterday saw evidence leader Adv Norman Arendse leading evidence as to what Mr Mathale would have said in his sworn statement to the committee. The afternoon and evening were spent with committee members engaging on the evidence before it.
The committee heard that Mr Mathale had not been informed or consulted about the directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) prior to Police Minister Mr Senzo Mchunu issuing the note with his intention to do so. He told the committee that he was concerned about the part specifying “immediately” with reference to the closure. Mr Mathale indicated that he was surprised when he learned of Minister Mchunu’s decision to disband the task team on social media.
He could not dispute the effectiveness of the task team; however, he supported the winding down of the PKTT to ensure police resources were evenly deployed to investigate serious crime like murder and robbery. Committee Member Mr Ashley Sauls said that he supported the disbanding, but serious and violent crime investigations must be strengthened. “My reason is you strengthen the capacity to do investigation work around murder and robbery-related cases.”
Committee members were concerned that one year into the minister’s tenure in the 7th administration, the two deputy ministers of police have not been given delegated responsibilities. Mr Mathale explained that Mr Mchunu was still learning the environment before assigning tasks and responsibilities to his deputies.
Committee Member Mr Xola Nqola was concerned that despite being a deputy minister, Mr Mathale does not have delegation powers. Mr Nqola went on to say that from the testimony it is clear that no proper consultation process occurred before the PKTT was disbanded and that there is an issue around the delegation of powers.
When asked by committee member Adv Glynnis Breytenbach if acting Police Minister Prof Firoz Cachalia had delegated any responsibilities to him, Mr Mathale said they have spoken about it, but no delegation has been assigned yet.
Mr Mathale rejected earlier evidence that all the ministry or department would have engaged with or had contact with murder accused Mr Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala or known criminals. He indicated that he does not have any contact number of such individuals as he was deployed to a ministry whose mandate is to fight crime. It would therefore not be appropriate to engage on a social level with questionable individuals.
Chairperson Mr Molapi Soviet Lekganyane indicated that the committee will meet today to discuss housekeeping matters, including a report on the consultation with witnesses, witness list, legal opinion and its draft programme.
Rajaa Azzakani
29 October 2025
Arrange a tour