Julius Malema
Julius Malema declines nomination for ad hoc committee chairperson investigating Mkhwanazi allegations, citing unavailability as the EFF leader steps aside from leading the probe into claims of police corruption while remaining a full member of the multi-party panel.
In a key development during the inaugural meeting of Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Tuesday , 6 August 2025, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema declined the nomination for chairperson, stating he was not available for the role. This decision came as ANC MP Soviet Lekganyane was elected to lead the committee, which is tasked with probing explosive claims of corruption and interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Malema’s choice to step back from chairing the inquiry, despite his vocal support for Mkhwanazi and the EFF’s strong stance against police misconduct, highlights the complex dynamics in South Africa’s multiparty oversight processes amid a scandal that has already led to the suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Details of the Nomination and Decline
The ad hoc committee’s first session focused on electing leadership to guide its critical work. Nominated by MK Party MP Sihle Skhosana for chairperson, Malema politely turned down the position, explaining his unavailability without elaborating further. This paved the way for Lekganyane, a seasoned ANC parliamentarian from Limpopo with experience in financial oversight, to assume the chair. Lekganyane’s election was unopposed, reflecting consensus among the 11 members drawn from various parties.
Malema, however, remains a full member of the committee, nominated by the EFF to ensure robust scrutiny. His decision aligns with his busy schedule as EFF commander-in-chief, including party activities and parliamentary duties. Despite declining the top spot, Malema has been a staunch advocate for the probe, previously stating that the committee must uncover the truth behind Mkhwanazi’s allegations. In a recent address, he emphasised, “We want the truth to come out. What Mkhwanazi said must be repeated, backed by evidence in the Ad-Hoc Committee and in the Commission.”
The misunderstanding around Malema being linked to the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party seems to stem from the nomination by an MK MP, but Malema represents the EFF, which he founded in 2013 after leaving the ANC. The MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, has its own interests in police reforms and nominated Andile Mngxitama to the committee.
Background to the Committee’s Formation
The committee was established on 31 July 2025 following a joint report from the Portfolio Committees on Police and Correctional Services, prompted by Mkhwanazi’s public accusations on 6 July 2025. As KwaZulu-Natal’s police commissioner, Mkhwanazi alleged that Minister Mchunu and Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya were interfering in investigations, colluding with crime syndicates, and protecting criminals involved in extortion and violence. These claims led to Mchunu’s suspension by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 13 July 2025, amid calls for a thorough cleanup of the SAPS.
Mkhwanazi, hailed by some as a hero for his forthrightness, has faced backlash, including counter-allegations of corruption in procurement deals. Malema has publicly backed him, even inviting Mkhwanazi to join the EFF if dismissed, saying during a party event on 26 July 2025, “If they fire you, come to the EFF; we have a place for heroes like you.” This support underscores the EFF’s narrative that the ANC harbours criminal elements, with Malema labelling its leadership a “criminal cartel.”
The probe runs alongside a judicial commission chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, but Malema has criticised the commission as a “bluff” and unconstitutional, arguing it distracts from parliamentary oversight. He insists the ad hoc committee should not become a “box-ticking exercise” and must expose systemic rot in the SAPS.
The joint committees adopted their report on 22 July 2025, which the National Assembly approved on 23 July 2025, recommending the ad hoc committee be given 90 days to complete its work, with possible extensions. The report also suggested identifying legislative or policy failures contributing to the policing crisis and ensuring the committee has access to external forensic and legal experts.
Committee Composition and Expected Proceedings
The multi-party committee includes prominent figures: ANC’s Mdumiseni Ntuli, Khusela Sangoni-Diko, Soviet Lekganyane (chair), and Xola Nqola; DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach and Ian Cameron; EFF’s Julius Malema; MK Party’s Andile Mngxitama; IFP’s Mangaqa Albert Mncwango; and alternates like ANC’s Molebogeng Sharon Modise, Thoko Khanyile, and IFP’s Liezel van der Merwe. The EFF’s alternate is Leigh-Ann Mathys. This diverse makeup aims to ensure impartiality, with opposition voices like Malema and Breytenbach pushing for accountability.
Under Lekganyane’s leadership, the committee will summon witnesses, including Mkhwanazi, Mchunu, and Sibiya, to testify under oath. Hearings are planned despite Parliament’s recess, with a report due before year-end recommending reforms to combat police corruption. Public optimism is high, with many South Africans viewing Malema’s involvement as a guarantee of tough questioning. Social media reactions praise the EFF’s stance, seeing it as a stand against criminal infiltration in government.
To facilitate transparency, the committees urged open proceedings, live broadcasts where possible, and protection for whistleblowers. Malema has encouraged the public to share information, saying at the EFF’s 12th anniversary rally, “You the people know the truth, this is the time and platform to expose the rot. Do not be scared, the killing of our children must be stopped now. Mkhwanazi opened the way, we must join him and restore peace and order in South Africa.”
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