Malema
In a surprising twist at the Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, EFF leader Julius Malema came to the defence of DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard. Speaking on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, Malema argued against calls for her to step aside just because her name popped up in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. He called the push unnecessary, stressing that a mere mention in testimony should not force anyone out. This rare cross-party support highlights tensions in Parliament over how to handle claims of misconduct by lawmakers, amid ongoing probes into police and political interference.
The Madlanga Commission, set up to dig into corruption and abuse in the South African Police Service (SAPS), has uncovered explosive details. Mkhwanazi’s evidence accused several MPs, including Kohler Barnard and National Coloured Congress (NCC) MP Fadiel Adams, of overstepping and stirring trouble in crime fighting. Malema’s stance adds fuel to debates on accountability, especially in a time when South Africa’s GNU (Government of National Unity) demands teamwork across divides. As Heritage Day reflections tie into calls for justice, this moment shows how past probes still ripple through today’s politics.
Malema’s Firm Stand in the Ad Hoc Committee
During the session, Malema made his views clear. “The EFF does not agree that the honourable member Dianne Kohler Barnard must withdraw herself on the basis of being mentioned in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into allegations made by General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi,” he said.
He went on: “I don’t even know why this matter finds itself on our table now because it can’t be that because our member was mentioned in the Commission she must recuse her self.” His use of “our member” raised brows, given Kohler Barnard’s DA ties, but it seems to nod to shared committee roles or broader parliamentary unity.
The Ad Hoc Committee was formed to tackle Mkhwanazi’s claims from the Madlanga inquiry. It aims to check if MPs abused power or broke laws, with Kohler Barnard in the spotlight. Malema warned that forcing recusal on weak grounds sets a bad example. “That cannot be the basis for recusal,” he argued. “Any decision to step aside must be hers and hers alone.”
This echoes EFF’s push for fair process, even for rivals. Social media lit up with clips of his speech, some praising the maturity, others questioning the odd alliance.
Mkhwanazi’s Bombshell Testimony at Madlanga Commission
The drama stems from Mkhwanazi’s appearance at the Madlanga Commission last week. He accused Kohler Barnard and Adams of breaking laws and fanning attacks on crime intelligence units. Mkhwanazi claimed they pushed for info on probes, risking lives and ops, and implicated them in a syndicate of parliamentary members interfering in police matters.
The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, a former Constitutional Court judge and acting Deputy Chief Justice, is probing Mkhwanazi’s claims on police interference. It follows Mkhwanazi’s earlier gripes about political meddling in SAPS, like the push to disband the KZN Political Killings Task Team.
Kohler Barnard hit back in a video, denying wrongdoing and calling the claims baseless. She said she only sought updates on stalled cases, not to interfere. Adams also refuted the allegations, accusing Mkhwanazi of misinformation.
Cross-Party Unity Amid Heritage Reflections
Malema tied his defence to Heritage Month vibes, questioning why old issues resurface without solid proof. This fits EFF’s broader calls to ditch colonial hangovers, but here it’s about fair play in probes.
The committee’s unity on this surprised many, given usual clashes. It shows GNU pressures might force strange bedfellows, with EFF and DA finding common ground against hasty judgments.
Kohler Barnard’s Response and Broader Implications
Kohler Barnard has not directly commented on Malema’s support, but she earlier slammed Mkhwanazi’s words as unfair. As a long-time DA shadow minister on police, she’s pushed for better crime fighting.
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