Controversial commentator and social media personality Ngizwe Mchunu has publicly withdrawn a series of damaging allegations made against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, issuing an unconditional apology following court intervention.

The apology comes after two court rulings delivered in May 2026 ordered Mchunu to account for remarks that were found to be defamatory and harmful to Malema’s reputation.

In a public statement released on Thursday, Mchunu said he had consulted with his legal team and now understood the seriousness and legal consequences of his comments. He acknowledged the court directives and formally apologised to Malema, adding that he would not repeat similar accusations going forward.

The withdrawn remarks included allegations that Malema had allegedly received millions from undocumented foreign nationals and drug traffickers in exchange for political protection. Mchunu also retracted claims linking the EFF president to the looting of VBS Mutual Bank and the misuse of public funds connected to Ekurhuleni projects and On Point Engineering.

Apart from the corruption allegations, Mchunu had also made several insulting personal remarks aimed at Malema. In previous public appearances and interviews, he referred to the politician using derogatory terms and made inflammatory comments challenging him to confront him in Nkandla.

One of the incidents referenced in court papers related to an interview conducted in Johannesburg on April 30, where Mchunu intensified his attacks on the opposition leader. During the interview, he described Malema in disparaging language and claimed the EFF leader belonged behind bars.

He further accused Malema of benefiting from corrupt dealings involving VBS and On Point Engineering while alleging that the politician was financially supported by undocumented foreign nationals.

The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that the statements amounted to defamation and issued an order prohibiting Mchunu from repeating the allegations in any form, whether directly or indirectly.

As part of his compliance with the court orders, Mchunu formally retracted all statements made before and after the legal proceedings and appealed to his supporters and members of the public to respect his decision to apologise.

The matter has once again drawn public attention to the growing number of defamation disputes involving political figures and online personalities in South Africa, particularly as political rhetoric increasingly spills onto social media platforms and public broadcasts.

Malema and the EFF have not yet publicly commented on Mchunu’s latest apology and retraction.

Parliament’s ongoing efforts to establish rules for the Section 89 impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa descended into heated exchanges on Wednesday evening, with political parties sharply divided over how the process should move forward following the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the Phala Phala matter.

Tensions emerged during a meeting of Parliament’s Sub-Committee on the Review of National Assembly Rules, where lawmakers debated proposed amendments that will guide the impeachment inquiry linked to allegations surrounding the president’s Phala Phala farm scandal.

The meeting focused on developing a framework for how the inquiry committee should operate after the Constitutional Court ruled that aspects of Parliament’s previous handling of the matter were inconsistent with the Constitution. The judgment effectively forced lawmakers to revisit the impeachment process and establish a clearer mechanism for the inquiry.

A major point of contention during the discussions was whether finalising the revised rules would slow down the impeachment committee’s work. Members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party argued that Parliament risked delaying accountability by spending too much time refining procedural matters instead of allowing the inquiry to proceed immediately.

MK Party MP Mzwanele Manyi openly challenged the approach adopted by the committee, questioning whether the rules review process was becoming an obstacle rather than a support mechanism for the inquiry.

Manyi insisted that the Constitutional Court ruling required urgency and warned against unnecessary delays. He argued that Parliament should already be moving ahead with substantive investigations into the allegations linked to the president instead of becoming trapped in procedural debates.

The comments triggered a tense exchange with committee chairperson Doris Mpapane of the African National Congress, who defended the ongoing process and rejected suggestions that Parliament was dragging its feet.

Mpapane maintained that the drafting and refinement of the rules were not preventing the impeachment committee from carrying out preparatory work. She told MPs that there was no provision in the proposed regulations stating that the inquiry had to pause until every procedural issue had been finalised.

According to Mpapane, administrative and operational preparations were already continuing behind the scenes, despite the ongoing deliberations over the rules framework. She urged members not to create the impression that Parliament was ignoring the court ruling or intentionally frustrating the process.

The disagreement highlighted broader political tensions surrounding the Phala Phala scandal, which has remained a source of intense scrutiny for Ramaphosa since allegations first emerged regarding large sums of foreign currency allegedly stolen from his Limpopo game farm.

Opposition parties and critics have repeatedly accused Parliament of previously failing to hold the president accountable, leading to the Constitutional Court challenge that ultimately overturned parts of the National Assembly’s earlier approach.

The latest debates also exposed divisions over how Parliament should balance speed with procedural fairness. Some MPs argued that rushing the inquiry without comprehensive rules could create legal complications later, while others insisted that further delays could undermine public confidence in Parliament’s oversight role.

Parties represented on the sub-committee have submitted various proposals aimed at strengthening the Section 89 process, including provisions relating to evidence gathering, witness procedures, timelines and committee powers. Lawmakers are now expected to continue negotiating these proposals before a final framework is adopted.

The impeachment inquiry is expected to become one of the most politically significant parliamentary processes ahead of future national elections, with opposition parties likely to intensify pressure on the governing ANC over accountability and transparency.

Despite the clashes during the meeting, Parliament appears determined to proceed with establishing a functioning inquiry mechanism in line with the Constitutional Court’s judgment. However, the sharp disagreements witnessed during deliberations suggest that the road ahead could remain politically charged as parties battle over both process and substance in the Phala Phala matter.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has acknowledged growing public concern over undocumented migration, warning that illegal immigration presents serious challenges for South Africa’s security, economy, and law enforcement systems.

Speaking during a media briefing following the ANC’s latest National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, Mbalula said the party recognises the urgency of addressing undocumented migration, particularly as concerns mount over its links to organised crime and social instability.

He said undocumented migration cannot be ignored, pointing to issues such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and other criminal networks that exploit weak border systems and inadequate enforcement mechanisms.

Mbalula stressed that the ANC’s focus is on resolving the broader national problem rather than aligning itself with any protest movement, including anti-migrant group March and March, which has recently gained national attention through demonstrations calling for stricter immigration enforcement.

The organisation has threatened to stage a nationwide shutdown on June 30 if government fails to act on its demands, which include tighter visa controls, a review of asylum procedures, action against employers hiring undocumented foreign nationals, and restrictions on access to certain public services for undocumented migrants.

While distancing the ANC from the movement itself, Mbalula said many of the concerns being raised reflect genuine frustrations among South Africans, particularly around jobs, safety, and the pressure on public resources.

He highlighted government efforts already underway to tighten controls, including the strengthening of border management authorities and the planned deployment of 10,000 labour inspectors announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during this year’s State of the Nation Address.

According to Mbalula, these inspectors will play a critical role in identifying companies that employ undocumented migrants unlawfully, often at the expense of South African workers.

He warned businesses that violate labour and immigration laws could face serious consequences as authorities increase inspections and enforcement operations.

The ANC secretary-general also raised concerns about ownership trends in township economies, particularly the growing number of small businesses allegedly being operated by undocumented foreign nationals.

He suggested that in some communities, local businesses are being displaced or taken over under questionable circumstances, raising concerns about unfair competition and the possible sale of counterfeit or illegal goods.

Mbalula said government intervention must strike a careful balance—protecting South African citizens and local businesses while ensuring that frustrations over immigration do not lead to violence or unlawful actions.

His comments come as immigration policy continues to dominate political debate, with growing calls for government to strengthen border security and improve enforcement of existing laws.

As pressure builds ahead of the threatened June 30 shutdown, the ANC appears to be signalling support for firmer immigration controls, while urging calm and lawful engagement as the country navigates one of its most sensitive social and political challenges.