Malema Hits Out: ActionSA is Not a Big Party and is Misleading South Africans

EFF leader Julius Malema has fired back at ActionSA, saying the party is not a big player in South African politics. He accused its leaders of deliberately misleading the public about their strength after the 2026 local government elections.

Speaking at a media briefing, Malema told journalists that ActionSA is not among the country’s top political parties. He said claims that it is a major force are simply not true. “ActionSA is not a big party. Stop that lie and that narrative. Stop it,” he said. He added that the party’s leaders have been “peddling misinformation, deliberately misleading people.”

The comments come as parties count the cost of the latest local elections. The EFF itself saw a drop in support. It fell from third place in previous elections to fourth nationally. The party received roughly 6.26 percent of the vote this time, down from just over 10 percent in 2021. Malema acknowledged the setback but insisted the movement remains strong and ready to fight on.

He used the briefing to push for closer cooperation among left-leaning parties. Malema called on progressive organisations to work together instead of competing against one another. He named the ANC, the MK Party and the South African Communist Party as groups that should join forces with the EFF. At the same time, he criticised what he sees as inflated stories about smaller parties’ influence.

Political observers say Malema’s sharp words reflect the tough competition for votes in South Africa’s crowded political field. ActionSA, led by former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba, has positioned itself as a growing alternative. Malema’s remarks suggest the EFF does not want voters to see ActionSA as a serious rival at this stage.

Many South Africans are watching how parties respond to the election results. Local government elections decide who runs cities and towns, and the outcomes often shape the build-up to the next national vote in 2029. Malema’s direct attack on ActionSA shows that the battle for support is already heating up.

The EFF says it will study the results carefully and make changes where needed. For now, Malema has made one thing clear: he does not believe ActionSA belongs in the same conversation as the country’s bigger parties. His comments have already sparked debate among voters and rival politicians about who is really gaining ground after the polls.

Source: https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2119031797145039159?a=_YB9M0kmvoOcy9dk7Gc&s=19

Apogee-Point feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com