Cape Town – A meeting of Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence descended into confusion on Wednesday after ANC MP Malusi Gigaba was abruptly removed as co-chairperson, with opposition MPs questioning the legality and procedure surrounding his replacement.
According to News24’s, the committee meeting became chaotic after members were informed that Gigaba had been relieved of his responsibilities without a clear explanation from the ANC.
Eyewitness News reported that ANC MP Mzimasi Hala was subsequently elected to replace Gigaba. Co-chairperson Phiroane Phala announced Gigaba’s removal, saying: “We must just explain that our co-chair Dr Gigaba has been relieved from his responsibilities.”
However, DA MP Emma Powell questioned whether the correct parliamentary procedures had been followed.
Mounting controversy
“Has a formal letter of resignation from Dr Gigaba been received by this committee, and if so could it please be circulated? Secondly, was there an ATC (announcements, tablings and committee report) announcing the vacancy,” Powell asked.
ANC MP Windy Plaatjies rejected the questioning, arguing that Gigaba’s removal was an ANC matter.
“Why is she so interested to ask about Honourable Gigaba? It’s a party matter, finish and klaar. You can’t answer that,” Plaatjies said.
The development comes against the backdrop of mounting controversy surrounding Gigaba, who has been facing corruption charges linked to the multibillion-rand Transnet locomotive procurement scandal.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption formally added Gigaba as the fifth accused in the case in November 2025. The charges relate to alleged irregularities in contracts for the acquisition of more than 1,200 locomotives during his tenure as public enterprises minister.
Pre-trial proceedings
The case is now before the High Court in Johannesburg, with Gigaba and four former Transnet executives involved in pre-trial proceedings. Gigaba has denied the allegations and is contesting the case.
The issue of Gigaba’s continued leadership of the defence oversight committee had previously sparked objections from EFF MP Carl Niehaus, who argued that the corruption charges raised questions about Gigaba’s suitability to oversee matters involving state-owned defence entities and procurement.
In February, Niehaus called on Gigaba to step down, saying his continued role created a conflict with Parliament’s oversight responsibilities. Gigaba rejected the call, arguing that his parliamentary duties were governed by Parliament’s rules and that he had only stepped aside from ANC political activities.
Despite the controversy, Parliament’s records show that Gigaba was still chairing the committee as recently as 18 August 2026, when he and Phala led deliberations on the extension of the employment of SANDF members in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
His sudden removal therefore marks a significant change in the leadership of one of Parliament’s key defence oversight structures, while questions remain over why the ANC acted when it did and whether the appropriate parliamentary processes were followed.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
