‘Protecting Ramaphosa?’ – Malema Explodes as Witness List Sparks Clash in Parliament

‘You’re Hiding the President’ – Malema Ignites Tensions in Parliament

The parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating explosive claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi hasn’t even started public hearings and already, political tempers are flaring.

Set to begin on 7 October, the inquiry will kick off with Mkhwanazi himself taking the stand. But before that happens, MPs have been fighting over who else should testify. What should’ve been procedural housekeeping quickly turned into a high-voltage showdown, thanks to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.

The Witness List That Sparked a Storm

The committee initially confirmed a heavy-hitting first batch of witnesses, including:

• National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola

• Suspended Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya

• Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia

• Deputy Ministers Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale

But MPs later added 13 more potential witnesses and this is where the drama began. The expanded list included President Cyril Ramaphosa, Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, former Hawks boss Godfrey Lebeya, ex-Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa, and others.

Some MPs, particularly from the ANC, balked at the ballooning list, warning that summoning dozens of people before hearing Mkhwanazi’s opening testimony would be “chaotic” and “futile.”

Malema’s Counterattack: ‘You’re Protecting the President’

Malema was having none of it.

He accused MPs of suddenly becoming allergic to long witness lists only because Ramaphosa’s name was on it. He blasted committee members for what he called “laziness disguised as efficiency,” insisting that the scale of alleged corruption demanded an equally large witness pool.

“I know what you are doing, you want to exclude the president. You are just ashamed to say it. The president is not above the Constitution,” Malema fired back.

On social media, reactions were split. Some praised Malema for “punching through parliamentary politeness,” while others accused him of playing “political theatre” to stay relevant.

What’s This Probe Even About? Quick Background

This entire inquiry stems from bombshell allegations Mkhwanazi made during testimony before the Madlanga Commission. Among other claims, he said:

• Senior police officials ignored warnings about criminal infiltration within the force

• Police Minister Senzo Mchunu had past links to dubious businessman Oupa ‘Brown’ Mogotsi, a claim Mchunu first dismissed, then half-acknowledged under pressure

The revelations were damaging enough that Parliament was forced to launch its own probe, separate from the judicial inquiry.

ANC Pushes Back: ‘Stay Within the Mandate’

ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli urged caution, warning against turning the process into a free-for-all.

He argued that confirming all 34+ names now would force legal teams to prematurely summon people, even those who may later prove irrelevant.

“We must resist the temptation of a never-ending list,” Ntuli said.

Even some opposition MPs, including from the DA and IFP, agreed on delaying final confirmation, not to shield Ramaphosa, they argued, but to maintain structure.

But ActionSA and the EFF rejected the “wait-and-see” approach.

So What Happens Now?

Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane settled on a compromise:

• Mkhwanazi will testify first.

• Additional names, including Ramaphosa remain ‘noted’ rather than confirmed.

• More names can still be added later.

In other words: The Ramaphosa question isn’t dead. It’s simply delayed.

The Bigger Picture: Transparency or Political Posturing?

This saga isn’t just about procedure, it’s about who gets to be held accountable, and when.

Malema has planted his flag firmly in the “call everyone, especially the president” camp. The ANC insists it’s not obstructing accountability, just trying to prevent chaos.

South Africans watching this unfold are asking a simpler question:

Will this inquiry genuinely expose rot in the police system or will it become yet another political performance with no consequences?

October 7 will tell us which way the wind is blowing.