Julius Malema, the leader of the EFF, has demanded that the interim report from the Madlanga Commission be made available right away. He has also accused National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza of providing political protection to her because she has refused to summon North West businessman Brown Mogotsi and forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan. Malema made the remarks on Wednesday in Johannesburg during a media briefing on the outcomes of the party’s weekend meeting.

He also expressed concern that the interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has not been made public and that some individuals implicated in the report have not yet been fully heard. “This raises serious questions about transparency, accountability and adherence to the law of natural justice,” Malema said. The Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System was established last year by President Cyril Ramaphosa following allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that a sophisticated criminal syndicate had infiltrated South Africa’s criminal justice system.

In accordance with the schedule that was agreed upon, the commission, led by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and assisted by Advocates Sesi Baloyi SC and Sandile Khumalo SC, delivered its interim report to the president on December 17, 2025. In the report, the commission made several referrals for urgent further investigation by law enforcement agencies, including criminal investigations. It also recommended disciplinary action in some cases against individuals alleged to have been involved in wrongdoing, including corruption and criminal acts.

The referrals include the following South African Police Service officials: Lesetja Senona, Major General -Major General Richard Shibiri Colonel Mbangwa Nkhwashu -Brigadier Rachel Matjeng -Sergeant Fannie Nkosi The commission also found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing involving the following current and former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality employees: -Julius Mkhwanazi, suspended EMPD chief of police commissioner -EMPD officer Bafana Twala - Officer Aiden McKenzie of the EMPD -EMPD officer Kershia Leigh Stols - Dr.

Imogen Mashazi, a former EMM city manager -EMM fleet manager or proxy Chris Steyn -EMM head of human resources Linda Gxasheka -Adviser Kemi Behari, head of legal services at EMM -Etienne van der Walt Malema stated that the EFF is requesting Major General Senona, the head of the KwaZulu-Natal Hawks, to be arrested right away. “The EFF reiterates its call for the immediate arrest and investigation of Major Gen Lesetja Senona and all others implicated, not as a political move, but in defence of our country and to ensure that no one is above the law, regardless of position,” he said. The party also demanded the publication of the Madlanga Commission’s interim report.

“We call for the full publication of the interim report so that the public can see the case for themselves and engage meaningfully in the fight against corruption and criminality,” Malema said. “This refusal represents a dangerous surrender to intimidation, where individuals who openly display contempt for Parliament are effectively shielded from accountability through unverified claims of security threats,” Malema said.

“We reject the logic that Parliament, as the highest expression of the will of the people, can be held hostage by witnesses who make extraordinary demands for special treatment when existing safety mechanisms have thus far been adequate.” Malema said the EFF was disturbed that the Speaker prioritised claims of personal risk over her constitutional duty to uphold Parliament’s authority and oversight powers. “Accepting such claims without verified intelligence, formal risk assessments or security briefings sets a reckless precedent in which powerful and well-connected individuals can evade scrutiny simply by invoking fear,” he said. He said that Mogotsi had previously appeared before formal state processes, including the Madlanga Commission, without any recorded security incidents.

Malema also accused O’Sullivan of intimidation, saying he had previously sent threatening messages to witnesses and had publicly discussed these matters without displaying fear of retaliation. Malema stated, "The sudden emergence of alleged threats at the exact moment they are required to account in front of Parliament raises legitimate questions about the credibility of these claims and the motivations behind them." “It becomes evident that the Speaker’s refusal to authorise subpoenas amounts to political protection.” Malema also said that O'Sullivan has a close relationship with President Ramaphosa, and Mogotsi said that the suspended police minister has a close relationship. He stated, "Hence the protection we are seeing today, because they will expose politicians who are involved in wrongdoing."

Didiza previously stated that due to serious security concerns raised by both Mogotsi and O'Sullivan, she was hesitant to authorize subpoenas. Mogotsi asked Parliament to provide personal security if he were required to appear in person, while O'Sullivan, who is currently abroad, stated that he had received credible threats of death and requested to testify virtually. Didiza said the ad hoc committee had not shown that it had adequately engaged with these concerns or conducted formal threat and risk assessments. She warned that refusing virtual testimony without sound justification could expose Parliament to legal challenge.