South Africa's Police Minister Senzo Mchunu ordered the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team on 31 December 2024, despite its success in solving politically linked murders. The move, described as an administrative adjustment, has drawn criticism for undermining effective inter-agency collaboration. Critics argue it reflects outdated leadership in a time of complex crime challenges.
The Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) operated for over five years as a coordinated structure involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority, and Crime Intelligence. It achieved high case resolution rates, solved complex political assassinations, protected whistleblowers, and fostered collaboration across agencies known for turf wars. Described as a matrix organization, it emphasized shared leadership, real-time information sharing, and adaptive problem-solving rather than rigid hierarchies.
On 31 December 2024, Minister Senzo Mchunu issued an order to disband the PKTT without prior briefing, consultation, or warning. He justified the decision by stating that the team was not reflected in the SAPS organogram and that its budget should be redirected to provinces for visible policing. Mchunu told a parliamentary ad hoc committee that he would not meet the team because 'there is no such structure in SAPS.' His deputy, Cassel Mathale, initially believed the disbandment letter was a hoax, noting the absence of any performance review or transition plan.
The timing raised suspicions. In the weeks prior, the PKTT had arrested politically connected suspects and reopened sensitive dockets. Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi testified that 121 case files were abruptly removed from the team and transferred elsewhere, only returned months later after Mchunu was placed on leave. ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli questioned in Parliament how the ministry could justify dismantling a functioning interdisciplinary team, receiving no clear answer from Mchunu or Mathale.
The article highlights international parallels, such as the UK's National Crime Agency using interdisciplinary teams for organized crime and Italy's anti-Mafia units integrating prosecutors and intelligence. It argues that political assassinations stem from systemic corruption, not street-level issues, making the PKTT's intelligence-driven approach essential. Professor Kosheek Sewchurran, the author, critiques the decision as emblematic of leadership prioritizing bureaucratic control over innovation and competence.