CAPE TOWN, Friday 16 October 2026 — Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence has formally replaced African National Congress (ANC) MP Malusi Gigaba as its National Assembly co-chairperson, electing Mzimasi Hala after an earlier attempt to remove Gigaba was overturned because the correct parliamentary procedures had not been followed.
The committee reconvened on Friday to repeat the leadership election following National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza’s intervention in September.
Hala secured four votes against two for Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Chris Hattingh, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) abstained.
The outcome resolves the immediate uncertainty surrounding the committee’s National Assembly co-chairpersonship, although opposition parties raised fresh objections during Friday’s proceedings.
Committee repeats disputed election
The ANC first attempted to replace Gigaba on 2 September.
During that meeting, members were informed that the party had relieved him of his committee responsibilities, after which Hala was elected.
However, opposition MPs questioned whether the necessary procedures had been followed before the position was filled.
The EFF subsequently challenged the election, arguing that Parliament had not formally received communication changing Gigaba’s committee membership.
Didiza agreed that the process was procedurally incorrect and directed that the previous committee arrangements remain in place until the required steps had been completed.
Friday’s meeting was convened to elect a co-chairperson after those procedural concerns had been addressed.
Hala defeats DA candidate
The committee again elected Hala, who received four votes.
Hattingh, nominated by the DA, received two votes.
DA MP Emma Powell argued that an understanding reached during the formation of the seventh Parliament and the Government of National Unity (GNU) provided for the DA to hold one of the committee’s two co-chairpersonships.
The DA’s position was not accepted by the majority of members participating in the election.
The committee proceeded with the vote and declared Hala elected.
The EFF abstained and indicated that it would raise its concerns with the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces.
No formal challenge to Friday’s election had been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Gigaba remains an ANC MP
Gigaba’s removal from the committee leadership does not remove him from the National Assembly.
He remains an ANC Member of Parliament.
The former minister of public enterprises, home affairs and finance is also facing criminal charges arising from allegations concerning Transnet’s locomotive procurement programme.
The charges include corruption-related allegations linked to procurement arrangements during his tenure as public enterprises minister.
Gigaba has not been convicted, and the allegations remain before the courts.
The ANC has not publicly established that the criminal proceedings were the reason for its decision to replace him as committee co-chairperson.
Defence oversight continues
The Joint Standing Committee on Defence comprises members of both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
It is responsible for parliamentary oversight of defence-related matters, including the South African National Defence Force.
Hala will serve as the National Assembly component’s co-chairperson alongside Phiroane Phala, who represents the National Council of Provinces component.
Friday’s meeting also included scheduled discussions concerning defence policy documents and the funding model for military operations.
The leadership change comes as Parliament continues examining the financial and operational challenges facing the defence establishment.
Parliamentary dispute reaches new stage
The outcome brings an end to the immediate procedural uncertainty created by September’s unsuccessful attempt to replace Gigaba.
However, the DA’s objection concerning the allocation of committee leadership positions and the EFF’s concerns about the process could result in further parliamentary engagement.
For now, Hala has been elected to the position following a fresh committee vote.
Attention will turn to whether opposition parties formally challenge the outcome and how the committee proceeds with its defence oversight responsibilities under the revised leadership.
