Julius Malema Demands Retraction and Apology From Helen Zille Over Defamatory Claims

Zille Faces Defamation Demand from Malema

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has given Democratic Alliance Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille until Wednesday to retract remarks he alleges are defamatory, ewn.co.za reported.

England Slabbert Attorneys Inc. issued the formal demand on Monday following a televised interview on November 8, 2026.

Inside the November 8 Television Allegations

During the eNCA appearance, Zille claimed Malema exerted improper influence over decision-making in the City of Johannesburg during Herman Mashaba’s mayoral tenure. SABC News noted that Zille accused Malema of dictating major municipal choices, capturing City Power, and swaying a fleet tender.

He allowed Julius Malema to dictate major decisions and capture City Power and dictate the fleet’s tender and do all kinds of things that were in the interest of Julius Malema and his front companies, Zille told eNCA, according to IOL.

The Shadrack Sibiya Anti-Corruption Unit Claim

Zille further alleged that Mashaba appointed former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya to head the city’s anti-corruption unit at Malema’s instruction, telling the broadcaster that Mashaba justified the move as the price required to stay in power, as reported by The Citizen.

Malema's Legal Team Rejects Accusations as Political Revenge

Malema’s legal team rejected the accusations as entirely false. Newsday reported that the lawyers described the statements as an attempt to exact political revenge against the EFF leader for being a primary political opponent.

Zille Must Issue Apology and Retraction by Wednesday

Under the terms of the legal demand, Zille must issue a public retraction, publish an apology press statement in her name across her social media accounts, and provide a written undertaking not to repeat the allegations. The Citizen stated that the apology must be submitted to the EFF for approval before publication.

Zille has until the close of business on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, to comply. SABC News confirmed that failure to meet this deadline will prompt the EFF to institute further legal action, including claims for damages and an interdict halting any further publication of the statements.