Malema accuses liberation movement of betraying Hani, Mokaba and Winnie Mandela — EFF leader speaks

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has accused the liberation movement of betraying the principles and sacrifices of some of South Africa’s most influential struggle icons, including Chris Hani, Peter Mokaba and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Speaking during an EFF press briefing, Malema delivered a strong criticism of the country’s liberation movement, arguing that its current political conduct has departed significantly from the ideals and teachings of those who fought for freedom.

Malema said the betrayal extended beyond individual political figures, suggesting that the values, principles and commitments associated with the liberation struggle had also been abandoned.

“The liberation movement betrayed Chris Hani, Peter Mokaba and Winnie Mandela in 2024, and betrayed what was taught to us by those who liberated us,” Malema said.

His remarks placed the spotlight on the growing debate surrounding the legacy of South Africa’s liberation movement and whether the political leadership that inherited its responsibilities has remained faithful to the sacrifices made during the struggle against apartheid.

Chris Hani, the former South African Communist Party general secretary and chief of staff of uMkhonto weSizwe, remains one of the most revered figures in the country’s liberation history. His assassination in April 1993 shocked the nation and became a defining moment in South Africa’s transition to democracy.

Peter Mokaba, another prominent struggle veteran, was known for his political activism and leadership within the African National Congress Youth League. He played an influential role in mobilising young people during the anti-apartheid struggle.

Meanwhile, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, widely recognised for her resistance against apartheid, became an enduring symbol of defiance and sacrifice despite years of persecution, detention and restrictions imposed by the apartheid government.

Malema’s comments are particularly significant given the EFF’s longstanding positioning as a political movement committed to economic freedom, radical transformation and the continuation of the unfinished business of liberation.

The EFF leader has frequently questioned the direction taken by established political formations, arguing that the promises made during the struggle have not translated into meaningful economic and social freedom for millions of South Africans.

His latest remarks are likely to reignite conversations about political accountability, historical responsibility and the meaning of liberation in contemporary South Africa.

For Malema, remembering the sacrifices of struggle veterans must involve more than celebrating their names and achievements; it must also mean defending the principles they stood for.

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