EFF leader Julius Malema has dug in his heels, insisting that his relationship with suspended deputy head of crime intelligence Major-General Feros Khan is normal and that there was nothing untoward about their dealings.
Malema’s denial is contained in an affidavit he deposed to the Madlanga Commission in response to allegations made against him based on Khan’s WhatsApp chats.
The commission has heard evidence alleging that Major-General Feros Khan used Malema in an attempt to “trick” the then Inspector-General of Intelligence, Setlhomamaru Isaac Dintwe, into making false statements in 2021.
According to the chats presented by Evidence Leader before the commission, Khan allegedly enlisted Malema’s assistance by supplying, through an intermediary, Mohammed “Mo” Sayed, parliamentary questions for the EFF to ask Dintwe.
Investigators claim the questions were designed to trap the Inspector-General, undermine his credibility, and pressure him into making statements that could later be used against him.
According to Chaskalson, General Khan was facing disciplinary issues within Crime Intelligence. Sayed proposed involving Malema, but Khan declined. Subsequently, the story was leaked to the media, and Malema informed Khan that he would not resign, viewing the matter as a battle they were likely to win.
“I know Khan, and there is nothing wrong with me talking to him like I talk to General Mkwanazi (Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KZN Provincial Commissioner). I have never been involved in business with Khan nor benefited in any way from his activities,” said Malema in the affidavit.
Chaskalson also focused on a company called Bertobrite and its relationship with Malema, alleging that the entity was implicated in a corruption scandal in the City of Tshwane, after which it channelled funds amounting to R15 million into companies perceived to be linked to the red berets.
The EFF-Tshwane link was previously canvassed at the inquiry, with little emerging as there was no concrete evidence, including whether the person referred to as “Juju” was in fact Malema. This followed testimony from criminal accused and alleged drug cartel runner Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, who admitted under cross-examination that he used the names of prominent individuals, such as Malema and the late former Deputy President David Mabuza, to store the contact details of random people.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels could not confirm whether Malema would be called to testify before the inquiry.