The Activists and Citizens Forum has formally called on Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to clear his name regarding allegations of criminal influence. The request follows reports that Malema has been implicated in WhatsApp communications involving suspended Crime Intelligence official Feroz Khan.
Investigation Into Alleged Intelligence Conspiracies
Evidence leaders at the Commission are currently weighing whether to issue a formal summons for Malema to testify regarding these developments. The Commission, chaired by former Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyisile Madlanga, was tasked with probing claims of criminal syndicates infiltrating the nation’s justice and police security portfolio.
The Commission is seeking to be fair to all those who have been implicated, as we have seen consistently. That is part of why the Commission has been taking strain in terms of its deadline. So let’s see what the evidence leaders decide.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels stated this during a media briefing as the inquiry navigates a complex timeline of testimony. Investigations into the alleged relationship between Malema and senior officials, including the suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, have been ongoing since late 2025.
Growing Pressure For Public Accountability
The call for Malema to appear marks a significant escalation in public demand for transparency concerning his links to figures within the security cluster. Evidence presented to the inquiry, including the specific WhatsApp exchanges with Khan, has heightened scrutiny over potential conspiracies to influence intelligence operations.
While Malema has already provided an affidavit to the Commission responding to these claims, advocates for societal accountability insist that oral testimony is required to resolve conflicting accounts. It is expected that the evidence leaders will make a final determination on the necessity of a subpoena in the coming weeks.