Tensions escalated in South Africa's Parliament when Economic Freedom Fighters MP Carl Niehaus demanded that Malusi Gigaba recuse himself from chairing a committee, citing the ANC's step-aside rule due to Gigaba's pending court case. Gigaba rejected the demand, accusing Niehaus of misleading the meeting and pointing to Niehaus's own past associations. The exchange highlighted ongoing political frictions within the legislative body.
In a heated session of Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Defence, chairperson Malusi Gigaba faced a direct challenge from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Carl Niehaus. Niehaus called for Gigaba to step aside from his role, invoking the African National Congress (ANC) step-aside rule in light of Gigaba's upcoming court appearance related to unspecified issues.
Gigaba responded forcefully, denying any involvement in chairing recent meetings amid concerns over the Independent Development Trust (IDAC). He stated that the matters raised by Niehaus were unrelated to him and accused the MP of deliberate misinformation. Gigaba further noted that the Gupta brothers, central to past state capture allegations, had identified Niehaus as a former associate.
“You are deliberately consciously misleading this meeting. To start with I am not chairing the meeting and I have not been these meetings for a period now since the issues of IDAC were raised. I have not chaired these meetings. In the second instance, the issue you are raising has nothing to do with me. Absolutely nothing to do with me. In the third instance, you yourself you had relations with them. In the fourth instance, you know the rules of the house. If the EFF had any defence whatsoever you would have raised these issues with the presiding officers so that they are addressed there.”
Gigaba emphasized adherence to parliamentary procedures, suggesting that formal channels through presiding officers should handle such disputes. The confrontation underscores persistent divisions between the ANC and EFF, particularly on issues of accountability and governance. No immediate resolution was reported from the meeting, which occurred on February 13, 2026.
