Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and prominent figure in South African politics, has once again voiced strong criticism of former President Jacob Zuma. Speaking at a public event, Malema made it clear that the EFF would never align with individuals accused of misusing public resources.
“The EFF is a highly principled political organization,” Malema asserted. “We cannot and will not associate ourselves with those implicated in corruption,” he added, referencing Zuma’s controversial legacy.
Malema also revisited his much-publicized 2021 visit to Zuma’s Nkandla residence, widely dubbed the “tea meeting.” Contrary to speculation that the meeting signaled support for Zuma, Malema clarified its purpose: to encourage Zuma to cooperate with the Zondo Commission’s investigation into state capture.
“Our visit to Nkandla was a strategic intervention to prevent chaos in the country, not an endorsement of Zuma’s actions or beliefs,” Malema explained.
In his remarks, Malema criticized the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party, describing it as a splinter group of the African National Congress (ANC). “The MK Party is just a faction of the ANC, and the EFF has no interest in engaging with such divisions,” he stated.
However, Malema’s comments sparked heated reactions online. One social media user pointedly asked, “What about the VBS money?”—a reference to allegations of EFF leaders’ involvement in the VBS Mutual Bank scandal.
While Malema did not directly respond to the question, his strong stance against Zuma and the MK Party underscores the increasing tensions within South Africa’s political landscape.