Nushera Soodyal shares details on National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola's testimony this week
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ECR NewsWatch's Nushera Soodyal sits down with Stacey and J Sbu to unpack one of the most talked-about testimonies before the commission of inquiry: National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola’s claims about the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.
Masemola testified that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s decision to dissolve the specialised unit in December last year was unlawful, arguing that the minister overstepped his mandate. According to Masemola, operational decisions like creating or dissolving units fall under his authority as commissioner, while the minister’s role is limited to shaping broad policing policy.
Adding weight to his argument, SAPS legal head General Petronella van Rooyen told the commission that Mchunu acted outside his powers. Masemola revealed that he even turned to President Cyril Ramaphosa for intervention, only to be told that the president would speak to Mchunu, a move that ultimately did not change the outcome.
Earlier testimony by General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi also suggested that the disbandment could have been influenced by powerful figures seeking to derail investigations into a high-profile murder syndicate.
Listen in as Nushera breaks down the explosive details, legal complexities and the bigger questions about accountability in South Africa’s policing system.
Masemola testified that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s decision to dissolve the specialised unit in December last year was unlawful, arguing that the minister overstepped his mandate. According to Masemola, operational decisions like creating or dissolving units fall under his authority as commissioner, while the minister’s role is limited to shaping broad policing policy.
Adding weight to his argument, SAPS legal head General Petronella van Rooyen told the commission that Mchunu acted outside his powers. Masemola revealed that he even turned to President Cyril Ramaphosa for intervention, only to be told that the president would speak to Mchunu, a move that ultimately did not change the outcome.
Earlier testimony by General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi also suggested that the disbandment could have been influenced by powerful figures seeking to derail investigations into a high-profile murder syndicate.
Listen in as Nushera breaks down the explosive details, legal complexities and the bigger questions about accountability in South Africa’s policing system.
