The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry heard evidence on Tuesday 7 July 2026 alleging that EFF leader Julius Malema used Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan through tobacco businessman Mohamed Sayed to have Operation Dudula members arrested in exchange for political protection. Image:Reuters
The Madlanga Commission heard explosive new evidence on Tuesday 7 July 2026. The evidence alleges that EFF leader Julius Malema used suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head Major General Feroz Khan to have Operation Dudula members arrested in 2021. The Malema Khan Madlanga Commission allegations suggest a system of mutual benefit between the two men. Furthermore, evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson presented WhatsApp messages allegedly showing Malema requesting arrests through tobacco businessman Mohammed Sayed as a go-between. As a result, one of the most significant political allegations in the commission’s history is now on the record.
Malema Khan Madlanga Commission: The Alleged Arrangement
The alleged arrangement worked through a single intermediary. Sayed allegedly acted as the go-between, passing messages between the two men in both directions. Khan never communicated directly with Malema. All exchanges allegedly went through Sayed. Furthermore, Chaskalson described the alleged relationship as transactional. He called it an illegal favour in return for a favour. As a result, both men allegedly benefited from the arrangement in different ways.
Malema allegedly received access to Khan’s intelligence resources. He also allegedly received arrest powers directed at his political opponents and police documents that served the EFF’s interests. Khan allegedly received political protection from Malema during a 2021 disciplinary process for alleged financial misconduct. Furthermore, Malema allegedly shielded Khan from accountability more broadly. As a result, the alleged arrangement gave each man something the other could not obtain through legitimate channels.
Must Be Arrested Tonight: The Operation Dudula Message
One of the most striking pieces of evidence on Tuesday was a WhatsApp message allegedly sent by Malema to Sayed about Operation Dudula members. Chaskalson told the commission that Sayed forwarded Malema’s request to Khan. The alleged instruction was to have Operation Dudula members arrested ahead of the movement’s 2021 campaign against undocumented foreign nationals. The instruction allegedly read “Must be arrested tonight.” Furthermore, the commission heard this was not an isolated request. It formed part of a pattern of Malema allegedly using Khan’s position in Crime Intelligence to advance the EFF’s political interests. As a result, the alleged use of state intelligence resources to target a political opponent of the EFF is now formally before the commission.
The IGI Removal Plot
The commission also detailed an alleged plot to remove then Inspector General of Intelligence Setlhomamaru Dintwe in 2021. Chaskalson told the commission that Khan sent a list of parliamentary questions to Sayed on 11 June 2021. Those questions were intended for EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi to pose to Dintwe in Parliament. They concerned whether Dintwe had links to alleged drug lord Timmy Marimuthu. Furthermore, Khan allegedly predicted Dintwe would lie when confronted with the questions. As a result, those lies would create grounds to call for his removal. Malema allegedly confirmed to Sayed that the questions would be fired off the next day.
VBS Bank and Fleet Tender Allegations
Tuesday’s proceedings also covered two further areas of alleged misconduct linked to Malema. On the VBS Bank matter, the commission heard that Sayed allegedly forwarded a message from Malema to Khan on 15 June 2021. Malema allegedly wanted to know who had filed a complaint with police at Sandton Police Station. That complaint linked to the VBS Bank matter. Furthermore, VBS Bank’s former chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi, now serving a 15-year sentence, stated in his plea affidavit that he paid millions in bribes to Malema disguised as EFF donations to secure political protection for the bank.
On the fleet management tender, Sayed allegedly forwarded details of a company called Bertobrite’s bid for a SAPS tender to Khan. He told Khan the request came from Malema. Bertobrite has previously faced allegations of paying millions to companies linked to the EFF after winning a fuel supply tender in the City of Tshwane. As a result, Tuesday’s evidence placed Malema at the centre of alleged procurement interference alongside the intelligence and political protection allegations.
What Malema Said in His Affidavit
Malema filed a formal affidavit with the commission denying the allegations. He said he could not confirm whether the message extracts were a true recording of the Khan and Sayed exchanges. Furthermore, he said only Khan and Sayed could confirm those matters. He did not understand why the commission required him to do so. As a result, Malema’s formal position is one of denial and distance from the messages.
On the IGI removal plot, Malema denied orchestrating Dintwe’s removal. He said MPs routinely receive information from members of the public and law enforcement officials to hold public figures accountable. Furthermore, he confirmed that Carnilinx CEO Adriano Mazzotti donated R600,000 to the EFF to help with the party’s registration. That acknowledged relationship between Malema and Mazzotti, who is linked to Sayed, sits at the heart of the alleged network connecting Malema to Khan. As a result, Malema’s affidavit places his denials on the record but does not fully address the specific allegations before the commission.
Will Malema Be Called to Testify at the Malema Khan Madlanga Commission Inquiry
The commission has not yet indicated whether it will call Malema to testify in person. Khan remains in hospital after the 28 June 2026 shooting in Houghton. He has not publicly responded to Tuesday’s allegations. Furthermore, the commission faces pressure to complete its work before the 31 August 2026 deadline. It is in discussions with the Presidency about a possible extension. As a result, whether Malema ultimately testifies may depend on how much time remains before the final report is due.
For more on the Madlanga Commission visit thepresidency.gov.za.
Editors Note All allegations referenced in this article are based on evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on 7 July 2026 and have not been tested in a court of law. Julius Malema and Feroz Khan are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Malema has formally denied the allegations against him in an affidavit submitted to the commission. The commission has made no findings against either man at this stage. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.