'I don’t listen to Julius Malema’: McKenzie rejects call to testify before Parliamentary inquiry
Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader and Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has rejected calls by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema for him to appear before a parliamentary inquiry, saying he would not take instructions from Malema or allow him to claim credit for any appearance.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Robben Island Former Political Prisoners Union on Saturday, McKenzie responded to Malema’s remarks during Friday’s virtual sitting of Parliament’s ad hoc committee.
The committee is investigating serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, including claims of political interference in police operations and links to criminal syndicates.
During the meeting, political parties submitted additional names of individuals they believe should be summoned to testify. The EFF proposed over 20 names, including McKenzie, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and several senior police and intelligence officials.
Motivating for McKenzie’s inclusion, Malema said: “Minister McKenzie said he wants to be called because he’s got a lot to say. He has information about the criminal syndicate that is taking place in this country.”
Malema added that anyone who claims to have information about which police officers or generals are involved in criminal networks must be called to testify so the claims can be tested.
McKenzie, however, dismissed the suggestion as political posturing, making it clear he would not appear simply because Malema said so.
“I will not go because he’s the one saying I should go. I don’t listen to Julius Malema,” McKenzie said.
“What I will say is, the mouthpiece, the spokesperson of the PA, will go and give a statement, because I was speaking on behalf of the Patriotic Alliance.”
He added that while the PA may provide a statement to Parliament, he would not allow Malema to use his name for political gain.
“I don’t want Julius to get credit that he brought me there. He must forget about mentioning the PA. He must go to the dying party of his that’s in ICU,” McKenzie said.
“He can go to hell. I don’t take instructions from him.”
Mkhwanazi, is scheduled to testify before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on October 7 and 8, in relation to his explosive claims about corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system.
Earlier this month, he appeared as a witness over three days, from September 17 to 19, at the Madlanga Commission, held at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. That inquiry continues, with additional witnesses set to testify as the commission pursues its investigations.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
IOL Politics