Tensions briefly flared during a parliamentary sitting when National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council chairperson Firoz Cachalia clashed with Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Leigh-Ann Mathys, saying, “You will get respect from me if it is mutual.” The exchange came during a heated discussion on the state’s anti-corruption measures and the progress of ongoing investigations.
After the verbal sparring, Cachalia sought to ease the tension, taking a more reflective tone as he opened up about his personal relationships with some of South Africa’s most prominent political figures. He confirmed that he maintains a professional relationship with President Cyril Ramaphosa, describing him as “someone committed to the difficult work of reform.” Cachalia added, “I also miss the late Pravin Gordhan deeply. He was a man of integrity, a public servant who believed in ethical governance.”
[WATCH] "You will get respect from me if it is mutual," Firoz Cachalia exchanges words with EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys. Cachalia then explains his relationship with President Cyril Ramaphosa and says he also misses the late Pravin Gordhan. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/KCcBUqxS7z
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 5, 2025
Observers say the exchange between Cachalia and Mathys reflects the growing impatience among MPs over the slow pace of anti-corruption reforms, particularly as South Africa continues to grapple with the aftermath of state capture. The EFF has repeatedly accused the Ramaphosa administration of protecting those implicated in wrongdoing. At the same time, government representatives insist that the process of rebuilding institutions must be guided by due process and stability.
Political analysts note that Cachalia’s comments about Gordhan struck a chord with many South Africans who saw the late minister as a symbol of resilience in the fight against corruption. His acknowledgment of mutual respect as a principle in political engagement has also drawn attention amid an increasingly polarized parliamentary climate.
As debates around accountability and integrity intensify, Parliament remains a reflection of South Africa’s ongoing struggle to strike a balance between justice, reform, and political civility.
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