Adviser urged me to withdraw PKTT disbandment letter: Mchunu

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu appears before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on October 17, 2025.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says he was advised by his Chief of Staff Cedric Nkabinde, to withdraw the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) disbandment letter after realising KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was very angry about it.

Mchunu, who is on special leave, is appearing before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on Friday morning.

The committee was established to investigate allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system made by Mkhwanazi in July.

Mchunu says Nkabinde told him that the letter was apparently leaked because it landed in the hands of Mkhwanazi. He says he was further advised by Nkabinde that there would be consequences if he failed to withdraw the letter.

This comes after Mkhwanazi sent a WhatsApp message to Mchunu on April 5, requesting a meeting to deal with internal issues within the police structure.

He also told the committee that he did not have to consult the inter-ministerial committee before disbanding the task team.

A tense exchange between Mchunu and the evidence leader, Senior Counsel Norman Arendse took place over the matter.

Responding to Arendse’s questions, he says he is unapologetic about the PKTT’s disbandment.

Mchunu says, “Don’t equate to policing. Overall, policing in South Africa made me feel guilty that I did not consult with the team specifically in a dedicated manner. Do not make me feel guilty because I am not guilty for that. There are many other things I needed to do that would have involved everybody.”

He denies that he flouted legislation when giving the directive to disband the team.

“I didn’t breach any law. I do want us to have an agreement or consensus on that because I did not convene a meeting with General (Fannie) Masemola, with General Mkhwanazi and General (Dumisani) Khumalo doesn’t constitute an offence in the department or anywhere in the state. It doesn’t.”