The inquiry’s chairperson, Justice Sisi Khampepe said Makhubela’s support for xenophobic raids shows that he will not bring an impartial mind to the commission.
Residents of the hijacked building alleged that members of the controversial organisation celebrated outside of it following the deadly blaze, which killed over 70 people in August.
When their building in the inner city was gutted by a raging fire in August, the residents were forced to move to different parts of the city where some had to find new work.
At least 32 undocumented migrants who stayed in the building are detained at the Lindela Repatriation Centre, pending the outcome of a legal battle to stop them from being deported.