Former cabinet minister Malusi Gigaba has been removed as one of the co-chairpersons of Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence, with ANC MP Mzimasi Mike Hala elected to replace him.
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Gigaba’s removal was announced during a committee meeting yesterday, 2 September, in a move that caught opposition MPs off guard because the African National Congress (ANC) did not publicly provide a reason for the change.
EWN reports that committee co-chairperson Phiroane Phala informed members that Gigaba had been “relieved of his responsibilities.” Hala was subsequently elected as the new National Assembly co-chairperson, serving alongside Phala, who represents the National Council of Provinces.
The development brings an abrupt end to Gigaba’s tenure in one of Parliament’s key defence oversight positions. He was elected to the position after the 2024 national elections, when he returned to the National Assembly after several years away from frontline parliamentary politics.
Questions over Malusi Gigaba’s removal
The circumstances surrounding Gigaba’s departure quickly became a point of contention inside the committee.
Democratic Alliance MP Emma Powell questioned whether the correct parliamentary process had been followed, asked whether Gigaba had formally resigned, and whether an official announcement had been made regarding the vacancy.
ANC MP Windy Plaatjies rejected the demand for an explanation, arguing that Gigaba’s removal was an ANC matter.
According to EWN, the lack of an explanation has fuelled speculation about the political reasons behind the decision.
However, there is currently no official confirmation that Gigaba was removed because of the criminal charges he faces, and it would be inappropriate to present the two developments as definitively connected.
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Malusi Gigaba faces corruption charges
These charges come as Melusi Gigaba faces criminal proceedings linked to allegations surrounding a Transnet locomotive procurement process that dates to his period as minister of public enterprises.
The Economic Freedom Fighters had previously called for Gigaba to relinquish his position as co-chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, arguing that the criminal charges made it inappropriate for him to continue in a senior parliamentary oversight role, EWN reports.
Gigaba has indicated that he is willing to cooperate with law-enforcement authorities. The allegations against him remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
The ANC has not publicly stated whether his removal from the defence committee forms part of a broader political or parliamentary strategy.
But for now, Hala takes over the National Assembly side of the committee’s leadership, while Gigaba remains an ANC Member of Parliament.
The key unanswered question is why the ANC decided to remove him and whether the party will provide a fuller explanation for the decision.
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Featured image: X/@SunePayne
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