National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola denies disbanding KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team

South African Police Service (SAPS), National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has publicly refuted claims made by his deputy regarding the disbandment of the controversial KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team.

At a media briefing on Wednesday, Masemola firmly stated that he had not issued any directive to close the unit, contradicting assertions made by Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya during a recent interview.

"You have not seen any letter that I have signed to close the unit. I have not signed it, and I don’t think anybody has ever seen a letter where I have signed off on the closure of the unit,” Masemola asserted, attempting to quell the rising tensions and confusion surrounding the task team's fate.

In a shocking interview on Newzroom Afrika, Sibiya alleged that Masemola instructed him to shut down the team, which has been at the forefront of investigating political violence in the province notorious for its violent political rivalries.

Furthermore, Sibiya implicated Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KZN Police Commissioner, accusing him of defying Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's instructions regarding the task team.

Adding yet another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula claimed that the ruling party had been informed of the task team’s closure.

According to Mbalula, the task team had indeed been disbanded, which coincides with reports originating from last year when Minister Mchunu initially directed Masemola to dissolve the unit, asserting that it had fulfilled its mandate.

While the formal announcement of the disbandment was made in January this year, concerns have surged regarding the implications that resonate beyond a mere administrative closure.

Allegations from Mkhwanazi suggested that the task team had recently uncovered a troubling criminal syndicate operating within the SAPS.

This network purportedly involves high-ranking politicians, senior police officials, influential business figures, members of the prosecution authority, and even elements within the judiciary.

Amidst this chaos, Masemola acknowledged his obligation to comply with ministerial policy directives, yet he is now caught in the eye of a storm, facing pressure to clarify his position further.

It is expected that he will soon brief President Cyril Ramaphosa on the unfolding situation, highlighting the complexity and potential fallout from the task team's controversial closure.

The environment remains charged, with growing calls for Ramaphosa to take action against Minister Mchunu, who has found himself at the centre of this unfolding scandal.

Additionally, there are mounting demands for Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka to initiate an independent investigation into both the disbandment of the task team and the serious allegations surrounding the alleged syndicate.

DAILY NEWS