As part of the wrap-up of oral hearings of the Ad Hoc Committee’s investigation into allegations of police yesterday, the committee heard from National Police Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola that suspended police Minister Senzo Mchunu did not consult him on the disbandment of the Political Killings Task team (PKTT), even though they had been together at several events and meetings in the run-up to the announcement of the directive.
Gen Masemola said he and Mr Mchunu had been to events and attended meetings together prior to the directive that was issued on 31 December 2024. “At no stage did the Minister hint or indicate that there is this imminent disbandment of the PKTT. There was ample opportunity to discuss if there was an urgent need to disband the PKTT, and there was no discussion whatsoever.”
Gen Masemola also testified about a meeting called by Minister Mchunu, shortly before issuing the directive, after media reports about a Medicare24 contract awarded to Mr Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is currently facing charges of attempted murder. The contract was subsequently cancelled in April 2025 after the internal audit found irregularities.
Gen Masemola said he was unaware of who Mr Matlala was and that the name meant nothing to him when he heard it for the first time in that meeting. The General also said that he made several attempts to ask Mr Mchunu for his reasons for disbanding the PKTT, but the Minister kept requesting progress reports and presentations to be made at meetings.
Gen Masemola said that when he briefed President Cyril Ramaphosa about the disbandment, the President appeared surprised and said he would raise it with the Minister.
Gen Masemola testified that after Mr Matlala’s phone was confiscated and the PKTT went through his messages with North West businessman Mr Brown Mogotsi and the Minister’s chief of staff, Mr Cedrick Nkabinde, it became clear that the disbandment had been planned, with the goal of preventing the PKTT from investigating Gauteng counter-intelligence cases.
He confirmed that he had met Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Crime Intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, who had briefed him about the messages found on Mr Matlala’s phone. Gen Masemola testified that he was informed that Lt -Gen Mkhwanazi wanted to hold the press conference to report on the work of the PKTT. However, he felt that Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi went too far when he spoke at the press briefing.
Gen Masemola denied receiving money from Mr Matlala arising from the tender awarded to his company. “I did not receive any money from Mr Matlala. I saw Mogotsi’s allegation.”
On the matter of the purchase of properties for Crime Intelligence, Gen Masemola denied any procurement irregularities on the purchase. He further denied that he targeted retired Lt Gen Francinah Vuma for not abandoning some investigations in 2022, as she claimed in her testimony.
Disciplinary action against Lt-Gen Vuma arose from a court ruling linked to an Independent Police Investigative Directorate investigation, he said. He also noted that she had provided a protected disclosure when asked to provide reasons why she should not be suspended. He also denied that he and other officers raided her office and confiscated her documents. Instead, they found a police sergeant in her office shredding documents, he said.
Committee Chairperson Mr Molapi Soviet Lekganyane said in his concluding remarks that it is important to restore confidence in South African Police Service. “As Parliament and public representatives, we take an oath to demand accountability from you. So, its important for you to take note of cases raised and give us an update on these matters. Before this committee and the Madlanga Commission came to be, we did not hear the types of things we hear now. Did these things not come to your ears?” Mr Lekganyane asked.
The oral hearings will end today with further testimony from Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi to respond to the allegations made against him. Following the conclusion of the oral hearings, the committee will begin deliberations on the evidence and testimony before it.
Rajaa Azzakani
18 March 2026
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