Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has taken aim at Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, accusing it of failing in its mandate after the committee was unable to secure the appearance of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, as a key witness in its ongoing inquiry.
Speaking during a press briefing at Parliament on Tuesday, Malema said the committee’s inability to bring forward one of the most critical figures in the investigation was a “deliberate failure” that undermined accountability and transparency. He stressed that the absence of Mkhwanazi, who holds crucial knowledge about policing challenges and security failures in the province, stripped the inquiry of credibility and integrity.
“The failure to secure the testimony of Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi is not a mistake, it is a betrayal of justice,” Malema declared. “This is the very officer who was at the helm of law enforcement in KwaZulu-Natal during some of the most turbulent times. His voice is necessary, yet Parliament has failed to bring him before the people of South Africa.”
The Ad Hoc Committee is tasked with probing governance, policing, and security lapses, particularly those that arose during episodes of public unrest and allegations of mismanagement within law enforcement structures. Malema insisted that Mkhwanazi’s testimony could shed light on critical questions regarding intelligence gathering, operational readiness, and accountability within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Malema accused the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of deliberately shielding senior officials from scrutiny. “The ANC is protecting those who failed our people. They know that if Mkhwanazi appears, uncomfortable truths about the collapse of law enforcement will be laid bare. This committee has now reduced itself to a toothless structure that cannot hold the powerful to account,” he said.
The EFF leader further warned that Parliament’s credibility was on the line, adding that South Africans deserved answers, not excuses. He argued that the committee’s failure was indicative of a broader culture of impunity within state institutions, where accountability is often sacrificed for political expediency.
Civil society groups and opposition parties have echoed concerns over the committee’s handling of witness appearances, with some calling for urgent reforms to strengthen Parliament’s oversight mechanisms. Analysts have also suggested that Mkhwanazi’s absence could significantly weaken the inquiry’s findings, leaving major questions unresolved.
Malema concluded by reiterating that the EFF would not relent in demanding transparency. “Parliament exists to serve the people, not to protect those in power. We will continue to push until the truth is revealed, whether the ANC likes it or not.”
The Ad Hoc Committee has yet to issue a formal statement on why Mkhwanazi did not appear or whether another attempt would be made to secure his testimony.