Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls backs Mchunu's decision to disband PKTT
Stand By Your Conviction: PA MP Ashley Sauls Supports Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's Decision Despite Public Backlash
Image: Picture: Armand Hough
Parliament continues to probe the contentious decision by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), amid allegations of interference and declining effectiveness of the unit.
Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls, one of the Members of Parliament questioning Mchunu, has openly supported the minister’s bold move, urging him to stand by his convictions despite public backlash.
During the parliamentary inquiry, Sauls opened his questioning by raising concerns about the PKTT’s value to society.
Turning directly to Mchunu, he asked if the task team “added value to society” and scrutinized its high budgetary demands.
Sauls noted that the PKTT's most recent budget request for 2024–2025 amounted to R94.8 million for just 20 members—roughly R790,000 per member annually or R65,000 per member monthly—a significant expense considering the unit operated only within KwaZulu-Natal. Reflecting this, Sauls pressed Mchunu.
“Minister, did this add value to SAPS [South African Police Service]?”
Mchunu acknowledged the unit’s contribution but expressed reservations about its scope and cost-effectiveness.
“Generally, when I looked at all the factors, my honest view was that the value had decreased over time... Taking all those points into consideration, I have concerns in terms of value.”
He further highlighted that the task team’s operations were costly and geographically limited to KwaZulu-Natal, suggesting this confinement restricted its national impact.
In response, Sauls thoroughly reviewed the evidence and finances related to the PKTT before delivering his verdict with firm support for Mchunu’s decision.
“I’ve studied the evidence you brought us and drew cross-references and comparisons... When I look at the money spent on the PKTT—R4.4 million—I say, stand by your conviction. Look at the facts.
“The evidence shows minimal value to SAPS and South Africa as a whole, except for high budgets that were not even directed toward investigations but rather for protection, laundering assets, and other activities.”
Sauls expressed skepticism about Mchunu’s defense regarding testimonies from individuals linked to alleged criminal networks, such as Brian Mogotsi and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, calling the explanations “very questionable.”
Sauls urged Mchunu to prioritise facts and South Africans’ interests over personal position or public opinions.
“Don't worry about your position or public opinion. Stand by your conviction. Whether the whole of South Africa hates me for doing it, I stand by my conviction.
“When I look at the money paid to members associated with SAPS intelligence to wind down the operations, the evidence justifies your directive. Minister, stand by your conviction.”
Meanwhile, Mchunu faces heightened scrutiny as he appears before the Ad Hoc Committee to investigate alleged interference in the justice system.
The probe, led by ANC MP Soviet Lekganyane, was established following allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and senior police officials of being involved in a sophisticated crime syndicate that undermines law enforcement and intelligence operations.
During sessions, Mchunu conceded that he lacks an audio recording of alleged threats from Mkhwanazi, contrary to earlier claims that his chief of staff recorded conversations following the PKTT disbandment.
Moreover, Mchunu vehemently denied any personal relationship with Matlala on Tuesday, whose affidavit was submitted as part of Mchunu’s defense against criminal syndicate links.
Mchunu explained why he would produce a statement from someone he claims never to have met.
“I don’t know Matlala. My lawyers obtained the affidavit without direct contact as part of my defense against allegations linking me to criminal syndicates.”
IOL Politics