BREAKING NEWS: PA MP Ashley Sauls Supports Mchunu’s PKTT Disbandment Decision Amid Parliamentary Probe
Patriotic Alliance (PA) MP Ashley Sauls has thrown his weight behind suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s controversial directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). Mchunu issued the instruction to National Police Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola on December 31, 2024, sparking intense debate and allegations of political interference in ongoing police investigations.
Appearing before Parliament’s ad hoc committee for the fourth time, Mchunu is vigorously defending his decision amid testimony from top police officials, including Gen Masemola and KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Masemola previously told the committee Mchunu’s action was “unlawful” as it meddled with operational matters; he claimed to have tried to persuade Mchunu otherwise but ultimately devised a plan to “wind down” the PKTT instead of outright disbanding it – keeping the unit operational.
MP Sauls’ backing comes as the committee scrutinizes allegations that Mchunu’s move aimed to halt probes into powerful figures, including tenderpreneur Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala. Mkhwanazi had alleged Mchunu’s links to criminal syndicates infiltrating police structures; however, Mchunu denies all accusations. The PKTT, launched in 2018 initially for KZN, expanded to Eastern Cape and assisted Gauteng’s organised crime unit – praised for adding value by Masemola.
The committee’s inquiry follows search-and-seizure operations targeting suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and Mchunu’s chief of staff Cedrick Nkabinde amid broader corruption allegations. Mchunu’s testimony seeks to clarify his motives; outcome could shape accountability benchmarks for political office-bearers in law enforcement oversight.
