President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared he will withhold any public comment until he receives final reports from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee. This official pause, however, masks a deepening political crisis with unexpected twists that have gripped the nation....Click to Read More >>➤

The core of the controversy involves the sudden disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). This specialized unit was instrumental in investigating politically motivated murders, particularly in volatile regions like KwaZulu-Natal. Its abrupt closure has raised serious legal and procedural questions, creating a rift at the highest levels of government.

Conflicting Testimonies Create a National Scandal

The situation escalated with contradictory testimonies presented to the commission. Former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu told Members of Parliament that he had informed the president about the decision to close the PKTT and that his briefing was approved. This account suggests presidential endorsement of the controversial move.

However, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola offered a starkly different version of events. He testified that President Ramaphosa was “taken aback” when briefed about the minister’s plan in February 2025. Commissioner Masemola stated he personally informed the president but received no clear directive on how to proceed. This testimony paints a picture of a head of state surprised by a major security decision.

A Question of Legal Authority and Political Fallout

The legality of the unit’s dissolution is also under intense scrutiny. A letter dated 31 December 2024 ordered the immediate disbandment of the PKTT. Despite the unit’s recorded successes, a majority in Parliament initially supported Minister Mchunu’s position. However, the South African Police Service’s own legal head testified that the minister’s action “fell outside his mandate,” challenging its lawfulness.

This has resulted in a full-blown governance crisis. The president’s public silence is more than a procedural formality. It potentially signals significant fractures within the ruling party and the state’s security apparatus. The dismantling of a key investigative body, coupled with conflicting evidence from top officials, places the administration in a precarious position.

A Global Lesson in Power and Accountability

For an international audience, the saga offers a compelling case study in power dynamics. The scenario is stark: a specialized task force combatting political assassinations is shut down. One senior official claims the president agreed, while the nation’s top police officer suggests he was left uninformed. The head of state now awaits official reports before speaking. This situation forces a shocking question about who truly authorized the decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team.

Ramaphosa’s commitment to wait for the Madlanga Commission and parliamentary findings is not merely an act of restraint. It is a strategic move amid a high-stakes political confrontation. The nation and observers worldwide are watching closely. When the final reports are released, the revelations are expected to land with far greater impact than the current, tense silence. The outcome will significantly influence public trust and the future of law enforcement operations against political violence. ...Click to Read More >>➤