SAPS CFO reveals R435m spent on Political Killings Task Team
Crime Syndicate Probe: Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, Chief Financial Officer of the South African Police Service details R435 million PKTT funding
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The Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) has received a total of R435 million in funding since its establishment, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, Chief Financial Officer of the South African Police Service (SAPS), disclosed during evidence presented to the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of crime syndicate infiltration within the police force.
The committee, established in October to probe claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is examining serious allegations that senior police officials and politicians are destabilising police operations and protecting drug cartels linked to political killings.
On July 6, Mkhwanazi made startling claims that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu disbanded the PKTT on December 31, 2024, to protect alleged criminals and others with criminal ties.
Appearing before the Committee, Lieutenant General Dimpane stated that SAPS currently operates eleven specialized police task teams, including the PKTT.
When asked by Evidence Leader Advocate Lerato Zikalala to provide a breakdown of how PKTT funds have been spent over various financial years, Dimpane explained:
"The expenditure items recorded for the task teams indicate the direct, controllable costs that we allocate funding toward. From the 2018/19 financial year up to September this year, the largest cost drivers for the PKTT have been overtime, travel, and subsistence, primarily accommodation," she said.
"Members often come from different provinces, not necessarily from the location of operation, so we have to provide accommodation and meals for them. Additionally, overtime work is common, which makes these two items show an increasing trend over the years."
Dimpane also noted that some costs classified under incidentals or air travel occur occasionally when members are required to travel for operations.
She acknowledged an apparent lack of recorded overtime expenditure for the 2025/26 year so far.
"This does not mean the team has not been active. Their overtime claims are still being processed, and expenditure will be reflected in due course. The team is continuously working, and I am certain those transactions are currently under review."
Asked to clarify the sizeable travel expenses, Dimpane elaborated, "The teams are deployed across various regions when situations need stabilisation. Sometimes local personnel are used, but often members are brought from different parts of the country based on operational decisions and approvals.”
“They need accommodation, meals, and travel support while working away from home. These task teams are temporary, established for specific objectives, unlike permanent police units. Their funding and expenditure reflect this transient, mission-based nature."
Regarding whether the current expenditure trends are normal, Dimpane said, “If these task teams were permanent, regular SAPS members, the costs for accommodation and meals would be considerably lower because members could stay in their own homes.”
She added, “Travel expenses would only arise occasionally when investigations require moving outside their primary station. So, it is normal for temporary task teams to incur higher accommodation and subsistence costs."
Dimpane clarified that her department's role in financial management is only to confirm the availability of funds and that it does not have the authority to approve or disapprove requisitions.
“Those decisions are made by operational leadership. As CFO, I do intervene occasionally if there are concerns about financial management."
General Dimpane’s testimony is expected to provide critical financial insights into the alleged corruption networks during the hearing, which marks a crucial step in unraveling the influence of crime syndicates within South Africa’s police service.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
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