Ramaphosa agreed with Mchunu on PKTT's disbanding - Masemola

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard that President Cyril Ramaphosa agreed with suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s position that the political killings task team (PKTT) be disbanded.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola made the allegation at the inquiry sitting in Pretoria on Tuesday, saying Mchunu told him that the president didn’t object to shutting down the unit.

The attempt to dissolve the task team sits at the centre of allegations of political interference in police work, with claims that Mchunu’s move was intended to protect certain criminal syndicates.

Masemola said that Mchunu claimed Ramaphosa was aware of his bid to dissolve the task team.

"At some point during the meeting, the minister stated that he did not understand why we were so adamant that the PKTT must not be disbanded, and he said the president agrees that the PKTT be disbanded."

Masemola said he was surprised to hear that the president supported the dissolution of the unit.

"I was quite taken aback by his revelations, since the president knew about the effectiveness of the PKTT and requested the team to assist with Fort Hare University murder cases. Moreover, in our last briefing on the PKTT, he was satisfied with the performance."

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