By Everson Luhanga
- Mchunu said the Political Killings Task Team was only a temporary project and claimed he had not been told about key raids in December 2024.
- The commission heard that Mchunu will return on Thursday for questioning about claims of political interference and links to criminal groups.
Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu took the stand at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria on Tuesday afternoon.
He said he would focus only on one issue: the Political Killings Task Team and why he disbanded it in December 2024.
Reading from a prepared statement, Mchunu said the unit was never meant to be permanent and fell outside the normal structure of the police.
He said this gave him the authority to shut it down.
The task team had been investigating politically motivated killings — including the murder of high-profile figures.
But Mchunu said he was never briefed about major raids carried out by the unit on 6 December 2024.
He also questioned why the head of Crime Intelligence was allowed to lead the task team, saying it might have been a mistake to give one person both jobs. His legal team is led by well-known advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi.
The commission said Mchunu’s appearance was limited to reading his statement due to time pressures. He is expected to return on Thursday for cross-examination.
The commission is investigating a range of serious claims — including that Mchunu interfered with police work and had links to criminal networks.
He denies all wrongdoing. As Mchunu spoke, the courtroom remained tense.
His decision to shut down the task team has been widely criticised — especially since the killings it was probing have not stopped. The country is watching closely.
Pictured above: Madlanga Commission proceedings today
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