Key Takeaways
- The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry examined alleged messages linking EFF leader Julius Malema, Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan, and tobacco executive Mohammadh Sayed to a plot to remove Inspector‑General of Intelligence Dr Setlhomamaru Dintwe.
- Malema denied any involvement, submitting an affidavit that refutes claims he conspired to have Dintwe lie and be ousted.
- Evidence presented includes WhatsApp‑style exchanges where Khan allegedly sought to “trick” Dintwe into lying, with phrases such as “Let’s go to war” and “This should get him to lie… we can ask for his removal coz he lied.”
- The commission also revisited the VBS Mutual Bank looting scandal, noting Malema’s alleged request for complainant details and former VBS chair Tshifiwa Matodzi’s plea that he paid money to Malema for political protection.
- Disciplinary notices against Khan, internal Crime Intelligence tensions, and subsequent communications suggest a mutually beneficial relationship between Khan and Malema, though Malema maintains he had no knowledge of the exchanges.
- The inquiry is expected to conclude hearings by the end of July 2026, after which a report will be submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Background of the Madlanga Commission Proceedings
On 7 July 2026 the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry turned its attention to EFF leader Julius Malema after evidence emerged linking him to an alleged conspiracy to remove the Inspector‑General of Intelligence (IGI), Dr Setlhomamaru Dintwe. The commission, initially established to probe drug‑cartel infiltration allegations within the South African Police Service, has been scrutinising the conduct of Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan since he was wounded in a shooting on 28 June 2026. While Khan recuperates in hospital, the commission has continued to outline evidence against him, ranging from tender rigging to the leakage of sensitive intelligence information.
Alleged Plot to Oust the IGI
Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC, leading the evidence presentation, read into the record a series of messages purportedly exchanged between Khan and tobacco industry figure Mohammadh Sayed, as well as between Sayed and Malema. According to Chaskalson, the core of the alleged scheme was to prompt Dintwe to provide false answers to parliamentary questions, thereby creating grounds for his removal. The messages suggest that Khan sought to have Dintwe lie about his relationship with Timmy Marimuthu, a former drug dealer allegedly recruited by Crime Intelligence. If Dintwe lied, Khan and his allies could argue for his dismissal from the oversight position he held over Khan.
The “Trick Him into Lying” Narrative
Chaskalson elaborated that the chats reveal a clear intention: “The primary purpose of General Khan, in raising the issues in the way that he did, was to trick the then IGI, Dr Dintwe, into lying so that if he did lie, he could be removed from his position.” Specific extracts include Khan’s June 11 2021 message to Sayed containing a list of questions for Dintwe, such as “What gratification does the IG of intelligence enjoy from Timmy Mariemuthoo?” and “How long has the IG been a captured public servant of Timmy Mariemuthoo?” The following day, Sayed forwarded a similar set of questions to Khan, accompanied by a note that Malema had supposedly directed him. Khan’s reply, “Let’s go to war,” and his later comment, “This should get him to lie… we can ask for his removal coz he lied,” underscore the alleged motive.
Malema’s Denial and Affidavit
In response to the mounting allegations, Malema submitted an affidavit to the commission, which Chaskalson read into evidence. The affidavit explicitly states: “I deny that I conspired to orchestrate the removal of Dr Dintwe.” Malema further claimed he lacked knowledge of the exchanges between Sayed and Khan and rejected any inference that the messages implied unlawful conduct on his part. Despite his denial, the commission noted that Malema had been served with a notice to appear and had chosen to respond via the affidavit rather than testify in person.
Connection to the VBS Mutual Bank Looting Scandal
The proceedings also revisited the VBS Mutual Bank looting saga. Chaskalson highlighted a message allegedly forwarded by Sayed to Khan on 15 June 2021, purportedly from Malema, requesting the identity of the complainant in a Sandton police case. Khan replied with a screengrab showing the complainant as Anoosh Rooplal, the curator of VBS Bank, whose case concerned fraud at the institution. Former VBS chair Tshifiwa Matodzi, who pleaded guilty in the scandal, told the plea hearing that he had paid money to two individuals—including Malema—to secure political protection. This linkage suggests a possible quid‑pro‑quo arrangement where Malema may have benefited from the VBS fraud in exchange for political influence.
Disciplinary Notices and Internal Crime Intelligence Tensions
Beyond the IGI ousting allegations, the commission examined a disciplinary notice Khan sent to Sayed on 30 July 2021 concerning alleged impropriety against him from the then head of Crime Intelligence. Sayed’s response asked whether Khan had resolved the matter and if he could forward the notice “to Juju”—a nickname for Malema. Khan indicated he was not yet prepared to share the notice. Subsequent communications, including a leaked news article about the disciplinary action and a photograph allegedly showing Malema and Sayed at a dinner table, point to a close, albeit opaque, relationship between the two men.
Ongoing Dialogue and Mutual Assurance
Voice notes and messages exchanged later in 2021 further illustrate the alleged partnership. In September 2021, Sayed sent Khan a voice note stating, “Juju called me now. He says that your things are coming along very, very nicely. It’s moving along very rapidly. But just give him some time but it’s going to happen for sure.” A follow‑up message asserted that Malema had told Sayed Khan “will not ever resign, no matter what, this is a fight and we will emerge victorious.” Such rhetoric reinforces the commission’s portrayal of a coordinated effort to protect Khan’s position while pursuing broader objectives, possibly including the removal of oversight figures like Dintwe.
Prospects for the Inquiry’s Conclusion
The Madlanga Commission anticipates wrapping up its hearings by the end of July 2026, after which it will compile a report for President Cyril Ramaphosa. Additional witnesses are expected to testify, potentially shedding further light on the extent of any conspiracy involving Malema, Khan, and Sayed. Regardless of the final findings, the proceedings have already highlighted deep‑seated suspicions of collusion between political figures, Crime Intelligence operatives, and private interests, raising pressing questions about accountability and the safeguards intended to prevent abuse of state security apparatuses.
Summary of Core Issues
In sum, the Madlanga Commission’s July 2026 sessions have centred on three interlinked strands: the alleged plot to manipulate the IGI into false testimony, Malema’s purported role in facilitating that scheme through intermediaries, and the overlapping VBS Mutual Bank looting scandal that suggests a broader pattern of illicit financial and political exchanges. While Malema steadfastly denies wrongdoing, the documentary evidence presented—messages, affidavits, disciplinary notices, and testimonies—paints a picture of a network where intelligence oversight, political patronage, and criminal enterprise may have intersected. The ultimate determination of culpability will rest with the commission’s final report and any subsequent judicial processes.