National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola says Police Minister Senzo Mchunu overstepped his powers by disbanding the KZN Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

Masemola testified before the Madlanga Commission today.

The Witness reports that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption — chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga — began in Pretoria last Wednesday with KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi giving evidence over three days.

The inquiry follows explosive allegations made by Mkhwanazi in July. It is tasked with probing claims of organised crime facilitation, manipulation of investigations, inducement into criminal activity by police leaders, other criminal offences, and the intimidation or removal of whistleblowers and officials resisting interference.

Masemola told the commission that while the minister may set strategic directives, implementation rests with the police commissioner.

“The minister can say there is a problem with escalating cash-in-transit crimes and that I should do something about it. Whether I establish a team or assign a station is up to me,” he explained.

He said Mchunu’s move to disband the PKTT amounted to ‘encroachment’.

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