Julius Malema Demands Apology From Helen Zille Or Else Face Heavy Legal Action

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has given Democratic Alliance Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille until Wednesday, November 11, to retract allegations about his influence over decisions in the City of Johannesburg and issue a public apology.

Malema’s lawyers sent Zille a formal letter of demand on Monday, November 9. They allege that comments she made during an eNCA interview on Sunday were false and defamatory, and harmed their client’s reputation. The letter demands a retraction, a public apology, a formal press statement and a written undertaking that she will not repeat the claims.

The dispute centres on Zille’s account of Herman Mashaba’s tenure as Johannesburg mayor from 2016 to 2019. She alleged that Malema influenced major municipal decisions, City Power and the city’s fleet tender, and that Mashaba appointed former deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya to lead the municipal anti-corruption unit at Malema’s instruction. These remain allegations made by Zille; Malema’s legal team rejects them.

In the letter, the lawyers argue that the remarks presented claims of corruption and improper influence as fact, including suggestions that Malema used political power to benefit himself and companies associated with him. They say the statements damaged his good name and were politically motivated. Zille has not been shown to have accepted those characterisations.

The deadline is close of business on Wednesday. If Zille does not comply, Malema’s lawyers say they have instructions to pursue further legal action, which could include a claim for damages and an order preventing further publication of the statements.

The exchange unfolds as parties negotiate possible coalition arrangements in Johannesburg after the November 4 local government elections. The DA emerged with the largest share of the vote in the city, but did not win an outright majority, making support from other parties important to forming an administration.

Zille’s remarks also referred to the political relationship between Mashaba and the EFF during his mayoralty. Mashaba was then a DA member and relied on support from other parties in council. He later left the DA and founded ActionSA, which is now among the parties involved in discussions about Johannesburg’s future governing arrangement.

The legal demand sets up a potential dispute between two prominent figures whose parties are also navigating coalition negotiations. Zille’s response to the demand was not included in the initial reports, and Malema’s threatened action had not yet become a court case. Any eventual proceedings would need to test the allegations and the legal arguments before a court.

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