Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale has told Parliament that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has not delegated any duties to him or to fellow Deputy Minister Polly Boshielo since their appointments in June last year.
Mathale was testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption and political interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Mathale said Mchunu had delayed delegating responsibilities because he was still settling into his role.
“The minister is still getting to grips with his role, and no tasks have been assigned to me or Deputy Minister Boshielo,” Mathale said.
Mathale disputes the Political Killings Task Team claims
Mathale also challenged Mchunu’s earlier claims about the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
Two weeks ago, Mchunu told the committee that the PKTT had become an unnecessary financial burden and was not meant to exist beyond 2022.
Mathale dismissed this version, citing former Police Minister Bheki Cele’s 2023 decision to extend the PKTT’s mandate.
He insisted that the task team had always operated within the law.
“When it comes to regular expenditure for the PKTT, such costs can only arise if the unit operates legally. If its existence were illegal, any expenditure would also be illegal,” he said.
“At no stage did the PKTT operate outside any legal framework, and I am not aware of any time when it was not supposed to exist.”
No Duties Delegated Yet
Mathale said he and Mchunu worked well together, but confirmed that Mchunu had not delegated any specific duties to him.
“Basically, the police department is complex, consisting of several divisions, five units within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, a civilian secretariat, and other entities. You cannot simply walk in and immediately know who does what,” he said.
“When you delegate tasks, you delegate with an understanding of the ministry. The minister has not delegated responsibilities to me.”
Clarifying the PKTT Disbandment Letter
Mathale explained how officials wrote and delivered the letter instructing National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to disband the PKTT.
“In the meeting earlier this year, the minister presented to the portfolio committee that the PKTT was to be disbanded during a transitional period,” Mathale said.
“Although the national commissioner may physically present documents, it is the minister’s decision as the executive authority. The letter was part of this process.”
He said that the letter led to the formation of the ad hoc committee.
Mathale: No Delegation from Acting Minister
Democratic Alliance MP Glenys Breytenbach asked whether acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia had delegated any responsibilities to him.
Mathale replied, “We have met and spoken about it, but no delegation has been assigned.”
The ad hoc committee continues to investigate corruption, criminal infiltration, and political interference that undermine South Africa’s justice system.
Mathale’s testimony is expected to continue until Wednesday.
