Sibiya Tells Madlanga Commission Masemola Ordered Political Killings Task Team Disbandment

Suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has firmly maintained that the instruction to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) came directly from national police commissioner Fannie Masemola.

Sibiya was giving evidence before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria, where he outlined his account of events surrounding the controversial decision to shut down the specialised unit.

His testimony centres on the chain of command within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and who ultimately authorised the move to dissolve the task team.

Madlanga Commission Hears Claims Over PKTT Disbandment Directive

Addressing the commission, Sibiya disputed Masemola’s claim that he was taken aback by a letter issued in December 2024 by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announcing the disbandment of the PKTT.

According to Sibiya, Masemola was aware that discussions were under way about possibly incorporating the task team into the SAPS murder and robbery unit. He told the commission that Masemola had been privy to engagements regarding the restructuring.

Sibiya further stated that although he signed off on the PKTT’s close-out report, he did so under instruction.

“I emphasise that any role I played in the disbandment of the PKTT was undertaken solely in the course and scope of instructions issued to me by the national commissioner.”

Sibiya Says Defying Order Would Have Meant Insubordination

The embattled police boss made it clear that refusing to act would have carried serious consequences.

He told the commission that ignoring the directive could have exposed him to disciplinary action.

“The alternative would have been for me to defy a direct order from my superior, which would have itself constituted unlawful conduct and a disciplinary offence.”

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Despite the dispute over its disbandment, the Political Killings Task Team remains operational and continues with its investigations.