Masemola says he never signed off on disbandment of political killings task team

JOHANNESBURG - National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said he never signed off on the disbandment of the political killings task team.

At the weekend, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that the task team was shut down after it uncovered a syndicate operating within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Mkhwanazi said the syndicate involves high-profile politicians, law enforcement officers, businesspeople, prosecutors and the judiciary.

On Wednesday, Masemola addressed some of these allegations during a firearm destruction operation in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg.

Earlier this year, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu issued a directive to Masemola to disband the political killings task team.

Mchunu argued the team had served its purpose and was no longer needed.

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Masemola said he was required by law to take policy direction from the police minister.

"This means the national commissioner is responsible for the day-to-day operations and overall management of the police force, while adhering to national policy guidelines and directives from the minister of police that are consistent to section 205 (3) of the Constitution."

But when asked if he had followed the minister’s directive to disband the task team, Masemola said: "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 is expected to brief President Cyril Ramaphosa soon on the matter.

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