WhatsApp messages put Malema and Feroz Khan at centre of fresh allegations at Madlanga Commission

Alleged messages presented at the commission

Evidence leader Adv. Matthew Chaskalson presented WhatsApp messages that the commission was told showed Malema asking businessman Mohammed “Mo” Sayed to forward an Operation Dudula poster to Crime Intelligence head Maj. Gen. Feroz Khan with the instruction: “Must be arrested tonight.”

Context of the alleged communications

The commission heard that Sayed allegedly forwarded the message to Khan at a time when Operation Dudula was preparing for a campaign targeting undocumented foreign nationals accused of operating businesses illegally.

Allegations about an intelligence agenda

Chaskalson told the commission the communications suggested Khan allegedly used Malema’s concerns about xenophobic violence to pursue a separate intelligence agenda. The evidence presented said Khan allegedly channelled parliamentary questions through Sayed for the EFF to pose to former Inspector-General of Intelligence Isaac Dintwe.

The commission heard that investigators claim the questions were intended to pressure Dintwe into making statements that could later be used against him.

“While I commend Mr Malema for his stance against xenophobic lawlessness, the chats suggest that General Khan saw this as an opportunity to use Mr Malema’s position within the EFF to attempt to trick the Inspector-General into a lie,” Chaskalson told the commission.

Additional allegations and the commission’s status

The commission also heard allegations that Malema, through Sayed, sought the arrest of another individual allegedly linked to a murder suspect believed to have connections to Operation Dudula.

The allegations remain before the commission, which has not made any findings. The commission was told that Malema has filed an affidavit denying the allegations against him.

Malema responds to Madlanga commission allegations linked to Feroz Khan