The head of the South African Police Service (SAPS) legal division, Major General Petronella van Rooyen, has testified that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu did not have the authority to disband the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
Speaking before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria, Van Rooyen said the directive to dissolve the unit fell under operational matters, which are solely the responsibility of the national police commissioner.
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National Commissioner Outlines Key Roles
Earlier in the week, National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola explained the distinction between his role and that of the Police Minister.
According to the Constitution and the SAPS Act, the national police commissioner is responsible for operational decisions, while the Police Minister is tasked with political oversight, policy direction, and legislative frameworks.
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Masemola argued that Mchunu’s directive to disband the KZN PKTT fell outside his scope of authority.
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Van Rooyen reinforced Masemola’s testimony on Thursday morning, stating that Mchunu’s letter to dissolve the task team clearly dealt with operational issues.
“Did the minister have the power to direct or command the closure of a task team that was investigating crimes? In my view, he did not have that authority,” she said.
The Major General is also expected to address the legality of transferring 121 dockets from the KZN PKTT to SAPS national headquarters in Pretoria.
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