Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has cautioned Parliament’s legal team against prematurely dismissing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

This comes as the Ad Hoc Committee, established to probe serious claims of corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS), convened to deliberate on its draft terms of reference and elect its chairperson.

In Tuesday’s meeting, the committee elected ANC MP Molapi Soviet Lekganyane as its chairperson to lead the investigation process. 

The controversy erupted after Parliament Legal Services representative Andile Tetyana asserted that the statements made by Mkhwanazi during a media briefing on 6 July 2025 could not be considered formal evidence.

“What Police General Mkhwanazi said, Chairperson, on the 6th of July 2025 is not evidence, Chairperson, in a technical sense,” Tetyana told the committee.

He explained that legal and procedural processes, such as sworn witness affidavits and corroborative testimony, were necessary to convert those allegations into formally admissible evidence.

Malema, however, took issue with the framing of Mkhwanazi’s remarks as informal or invalid, saying such comments were “dismissive” and premature, especially before the committee had even finalised its terms of reference.

“I don’t know what the remark is that General Mkhwanazi is not; what he presented is not evidence. I don’t know where that arises, because it hasn’t arisen at all,” Malema said. 

“We are just trying to get advice on how those things can be dealt with. General Mkhwanazi, you can’t say what he presented is not evidence. That’s very dismissive. Right at the beginning, we are starting on the wrong footing.”

Malema further warned that legal support staff must refrain from entering the political domain of the committee’s work, highlighting their role as technical advisors only. 

“Please, when people are asked, especially support staff, they must not enter into the terrain. They must just give us technical advice and leave the rest to us. Because we are not going to leave here being part of a remark that says what Mkhwanazi said is not evidence.”

The EFF leader has consistently expressed support for Mkhwanazi and his efforts to expose alleged interference in policing structures. IOL previously reported that Malema went as far as to publicly offer the embattled police commissioner a place in the EFF, should political pressure cost him his position.

“If the ANC fires Mkhwanazi, he must know that the EFF is ready for him,” Malema said. 

Malema’s backing is part of a broader political focus on the KZN top cop, whose explosive claims have prompted this parliamentary inquiry and a Judicial commission of enquiry. 

Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has been appointed as the chairperson of the newly established Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

Mkhwanazi alleged serious political interference in SAPS operational matters, including attempts by senior politicians to influence appointments and protect criminal syndicates.

Meanwhile, discussions within the committee continued over how to finalise the terms of reference. ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli proposed that members submit their input by Friday at 12:00 pm, to allow for a consolidated version to be circulated ahead of the committee’s next sitting.

His proposal aligned with EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys’ call for a more proactive and inclusive process.

Committee Chairperson Lekganyane confirmed that the draft terms, prepared by the parliamentary legal team, would be circulated to members soon, but stressed they remain preliminary until formally adopted.

“If the meeting is happy on that day, then the meeting will say, look, we are happy with these terms of reference. It’s something that we can work on. Let the work of the committee begin,” he said.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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