PARLIAMENT REMOVES MALUSI GIGABA AS DEFENCE COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence has formally removed ANC MP Malusi Gigaba as co-chairperson, electing ANC MP Mzimasi Hala as his replacement.
The decision was taken on Friday, 16 October 2026, following a months-long dispute over the procedure used to replace Gigaba.
In September, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza ruled that the initial process was procedurally incorrect because her office had not received formal notification from the ANC. The party subsequently completed the required procedures to remove Gigaba from the committee and replace him with Nomasonto Evelyn Motaung.
During Friday’s vote, Hala received four votes, defeating DA MP Chris Hattingh, who received two. The EFF abstained and indicated that it would raise its concerns with the NCOP chairperson.
The DA argued that an agreement under the Government of National Unity entitled it to one of the committee’s two co-chairperson positions, but the vote retained the National Assembly position for the ANC.
Gigaba, a former cabinet minister, is also facing corruption charges linked to the Transnet locomotive procurement scandal.
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