EFF MP Naledi Chirwa to Appear in Hatfield Court on Assault Charge After Brooklyn Police Incident
- EFF MP Naledi Chirwa was arrested on 8 October 2026 following a confrontation with officers at the Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria
- The dispute centred on a completed affidavit that station officials refused to commission, citing administrative regulations
- The EFF has disputed the police's account, claiming Chirwa was mistreated and unlawfully detained before her arrest
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Source: Getty Images
PRETORIA —An administrative dispute over a pre-signed document at Pretoria's Brooklyn Police Station has escalated into criminal charges for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament Naledi Chirwa, who allegedly assaulted a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Chirwa is scheduled for a dock appearance at the Hatfield Magistrate's Court following her arrest last Thursday. Law enforcement officers took the politician into custody on allegations of physically attacking a police official inside the facility.
The conflict stems from standard administrative protocol regarding the commissioning of affidavits. Chirwa had presented documentation that she had filled out and signed prior to entering the premises. Desk officers turned down her request to stamp the affidavit, noting that legal procedure mandates all signatures to be executed in the direct presence of an authorised commissioner of oaths.
Tensions surrounding the refusal culminated in the MP's arrest and formal booking on an assault charge by the South African Police Service.
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What happened at Brooklyn Police Station
The decision by station personnel to enforce procedural rules sparked a confrontation that ultimately led to Chirwa's detention. Prosecutors will present evidence regarding the alleged assault during the upcoming court session in Hatfield.
Source: Getty Images
EFF disputes police version of events
The opposition party has mounted a strong defence of their representative, accusing station personnel of administrative neglect and physical mistreatment. The EFF maintains that Chirwa was subjected to poor conduct by officers and subsequently held against her will without lawful grounds, dismissing the state's narrative of the incident.
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma sues Naledi Chirwa
In a related article, Briefly News reported on March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma’s defamation case against EFF MP Naledi Chirwa over comments linking the movement’s rhetoric to Nhlamulo Sambo’s fatal stabbing.
Chirwa plans to oppose the case, arguing that her remarks are protected parliamentary speech and fair political comment. Ngobese-Zuma is seeking a retraction, an apology, and an undertaking that Chirwa will not repeat the claims.
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Source: Briefly News
