Political Killings Task Team (PKTT)
The Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) was a specialised SAPS unit established to investigate politically linked assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal and other identified hotspots. KZN has historically had the highest rate of political killings in South Africa — rooted in ANC/IFP factional violence and subsequently in ANC internal competition over positions and tenders. The PKTT was disbanded effective 31 December 2024 by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, without prior consultation with senior police leadership. The disbandment became a central allegation of political interference in the Madlanga Commission and Parliament’s ad hoc committee.
Mandate: The PKTT was dedicated to investigating the “rising wave of politically linked assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and other hotspots” — political killings characterised by targeted use of hired gunmen against ANC councillors, ward committee members, and others involved in local political competition. ISS Africa: “KwaZulu-Natal is the province where lethal violence is most likely to be used for corrupt political interests.”
Disbandment (31 December 2024): Police Minister Mchunu issued a directive to disband the PKTT effective 31 December 2024. At the Madlanga Commission (testimony December 2025), Mchunu conceded there had been “no meeting, no briefing, and no formal engagement” with senior police leadership before issuing the directive — communication he described as “inadequate and regrettable.” His stated justification: “duplication, inefficiency and poor coordination” with PKTT responsibilities to be absorbed into broader SAPS structures.
Political interference allegation: KZN Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged in his July 6, 2025 press conference that Mchunu disbanded the PKTT to protect Big Five cartel interests — specifically to shield cartel-connected individuals from politically-linked-killings investigations. Parliamentary committee evidence: call records showed Mchunu spoke with Brown Mogotsi (alleged Matlala-Mchunu intermediary) on the very day he drafted the disbandment directive.
Mchunu’s defence: Mchunu told Parliament’s ad hoc committee that President Cyril Ramaphosa had approved the decision before he issued the directive. He also cited an October 2024 academic submission from KZN violence monitor Mary de Haas, who had urged disbandment due to alleged “political manipulation, malicious arrest and prosecution of law enforcement officials refusing to participate in improper investigations.”
Significance: The disbandment left KZN without a dedicated political killings investigative unit during the exact period when the Big Five cartel’s operations were most actively under investigation. Mkhwanazi described the disbandment as the most egregious act of ministerial interference in policing operations — his single most serious allegation at the July 2025 press conference.
Connections
- Senzo Mchunu — issued disbandment directive December 2024; subject of Madlanga Commission and parliamentary committee scrutiny
- Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi — the disbandment was his central allegation; triggered Madlanga Commission
- Brown Mogotsi — call records show Mchunu spoke with Mogotsi on the day the disbandment directive was drafted
- Big Five cartel — alleged beneficiary of the disbandment; cartel-linked killings were among PKTT’s investigative targets
- Madlanga Commission — disbandment is a core subject of the inquiry