Julius Malema
Julius Malema is the founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), South Africa's fourth-largest political party and a serving member of Parliament. Born in 1981 in Seshego, Limpopo, he rose to national prominence as president of the ANC Youth League, from which he was expelled, before founding the EFF in 2013 with Floyd Shivambu. Under his leadership the party built a base of radical, worker-driven politics advocating land expropriation without compensation and nationalisation of mines, polling third nationally in successive elections from 2014 to 2021 before slipping to fourth place in 2024. Known for a confrontational, charismatic style and disruptive parliamentary tactics, Malema remains one of South Africa's most divisive political figures, drawing both strong popular support and sustained criticism and litigation from opponents such as AfriForum and Solidarity. He sits on Parliament's Impeachment Committee and has clashed publicly with the ANC over its coalition with the Democratic Alliance. In 2026 he was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment for illegal possession and discharge of a firearm, a judgment he is appealing, and he separately faces prosecution for crimen injuria after publicly accusing a school principal of rape, a case brought by AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit. His rhetoric, including use of the "Kill the Boer" slogan and public criticism of judicial officers, has drawn condemnation from civil society groups and contributed to US visa restrictions imposed on South African politicians.
Julius Malema Updates
EFF brushes off Malema’s NPA charges, hits out at AfriForum for ‘weaponising’ justice system
By: Sashnee Moodley 23rd September 2026 The charge of crimen injuria brought against EFF leader Julius Malema does not “faze” the party, it said on Wednesday, as it hit back at AfriForum... →
Fikile Mbalula to also face the music for falsely accusing Bergview principal of rape
22nd September 2026 ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula will join EFF leader Julius Malema in facing criminal prosecution for falsely accusing an innocent school... →
AfriForum welcomes the fact that US action does not harm ordinary South Africans
16th September 2026 AfriForum welcomes the fact that the US’s latest action regarding South Africa will not harm ordinary South Africans or the country itself, but is... →
Govt rejects US visa restrictions, while domestic actors are emboldened 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 16th September 2026 The South African government has rejected unilateral visa restrictions imposed by the US, framing its domestic legislation as a constitutional... →
RISE Mzansi rejects motion to remove Speaker, defends Impeachment Committee's authority
27th August 2026 We are being asked to remove the Speaker of this House because she did not oppose the President’s High Court review application and instead chose... →
Julius Malema to face criminal prosecution for falsely accusing Bergview principal of rape
11th August 2026 Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, will face criminal prosecution after falsely accusing a school principal of rape. AfriForum’s Private Prosecution... →
Malema slams ANC-DA coalition as a ‘betrayal of working class’
By: Thabi Shomolekae 29th May 2026 EFF leader Julius Malema has launched a scathing critique against the ANC, accusing the yellow party of deep political insecurity and a betrayal of... →
Parliament statement on the Impeachment Committee membership
26th May 2026 The Speaker of the National Assembly has received the names of Members from political parties who will serve on the Impeachment Committee. The... →
Julius Malema: South Africa’s performative revolutionary is facing his biggest battle
15th May 2026 Julius Malema, the leader of South Africa’s fourth-largest party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is a divisive figure: loved by some, hated... →
Malema’s remarks place a target on legal practitioners – Solidarity demands action
17th April 2026 The Solidarity Law Network strongly condemns statements made by Julius Malema in which he openly labelled Magistrate Twanet Olivier a “racist of... →
