Malema Challenges Validity of Mkhwanazi’s Testimony, Forces Parliamentary Committee Adjournment

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema disrupted proceedings at Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Tuesday, challenging the validity of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s testimony.

Malema argued that Mkhwanazi’s statement had not been properly submitted to Parliament, rendering his appearance before the committee “invalid.” The objection came moments after Advocate Norman Arendse SC, representing the legal team assisting the inquiry, called Mkhwanazi as the first witness to take the oath.

“We have no statement of General Mkhwanazi before us. We have a supplementary statement. Supplementing what? Because he must first submit to us a statement,” Malema asserted. “There is no such original statement. And therefore General Mkhwanazi is not properly before us.”

Malema maintained that Parliament could not rely on a document initially submitted to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, emphasising that the legislature operates independently from the Executive.

“We are not a junior committee of the Commission,” he said. “When our children and grandchildren are going to be looking for General Mkhwanazi’s statement to Parliament, they won’t find it in the archives.”

Legal Team Defends “Supplementary Statement”

Committee chairperson Molapi Lekganyane turned to Advocate Arendse for clarification. Arendse explained that Mkhwanazi’s “supplementary statement” had been submitted to Parliament and was now sworn under oath.

“The statement has now been sworn by General Mkhwanazi,” said Arendse. “We call it a supplementary statement because much of the factual background was covered extensively by the evidence leaders in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.”

He further clarified that while Mkhwanazi’s statement before the Commission had not been made under oath, his oral evidence there had been given under oath before Justice Madlanga. The legal team, Arendse added, had since consulted Mkhwanazi to adapt and reference that previous testimony for Parliament’s record.

However, Lekganyane stressed that Parliament required an original statement specifically addressed to it. “What the Honourable Member wants to know is whether the sworn statement that General Mkhwanazi made at the Madlanga Commission enjoys precedence over this,” he said.

Arendse responded that the current document submitted to Parliament “takes precedence” but acknowledged it “incorporates, by reference, the Madlanga Commission.”

Heated Exchanges Lead to Adjournment

Malema remained unconvinced. “You are going to call General Mkhwanazi before this committee without an original statement? Where have you ever had a situation where the first statement you make is called a supplementary statement?” he asked, accusing the legal team of undermining Parliament.

MK Party MPs David Sikhosana and Sibonelo Nomvalo echoed Malema’s stance, describing the reliance on the Madlanga Commission’s documentation as “embarrassing” and “misleading.” Sikhosana warned that the committee appeared unprepared, while Nomvalo accused the legal team of “subverting Parliament’s constitutional responsibility.”

ANC MP Xola Nqola attempted to calm tensions, suggesting a 15-minute adjournment to address what he termed a “technical error.” IFP MP Mangaqa Mncwango supported the move, pointing out inconsistencies between the document’s cover letter and its title, calling it a “clear distortion.”

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: WATCH LIVE | Mkhwanazi Appears Before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee

When Lekganyane proposed asking Mkhwanazi to clarify, Malema raised a point of order. “There is no General Mkhwanazi before this committee. He is not here,” he said, insisting that the Police Commissioner could not be addressed before being sworn in.

Lekganyane agreed, acknowledging Malema’s point. “That is a valid point. I 100% agree with you,” he said. The committee then adjourned to allow the legal team to resubmit an appropriately titled statement and ensure Mkhwanazi’s testimony followed proper parliamentary procedures.

---

For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On  Facebook, X,  Instagram and Bluesky