SAPS Legal Head Supports Police Commissioners in KZN Task Team Disbandment Inquiry
Major-General Petronella van Rooyen, the head of the SAPS' legal division, has voiced her support for National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. This comes as the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry investigates the controversial decision to disband the KZN political killings task team (PKTT).
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
Van Rooyen is providing legal insight to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is examining the instruction to disband the KZN political killings task team (PKTT). The central issue is whether the instruction issued by then-Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on December 31st of the previous year was lawful and appropriate.
Senzo Mchunu had written to Fannie Masemola, stating his belief that the KZN political killings task team was no longer contributing effectively to the SAPS’ efforts against political killings in the region.
SAPS Legal Head's Perspective
While the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will make the final determination on the lawfulness of Mchunu's instruction, the SAPS' legal head, Petronella van Rooyen, believes that the instruction to disband the KZN PKTT was not appropriate. Her testimony provides a crucial perspective on the legal aspects of the contentious decision.
Context of the Inquiry
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is also investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi regarding compromises within South Africa’s criminal justice system. The image shows National Commissioner Fannie Masemola at the Commission on September 22, 2025.
