EFF leader Julius Malema has seized on ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba’s public regret over his party’s support for the national budget’s fiscal framework, using social media to deliver a pointed “I told you so” to his political rival.
The controversy erupted after Mashaba claimed his party had been “misled” into approving the budget report in Parliament, alleging key details were concealed during deliberations. Malema quickly responded on Twitter, referencing his past warnings about the ANC-led government: “That time I warned you about these people,” he wrote, alluding to Mashaba’s previous political associations.
Eish eish, that time I warned you about these people.🤷🏿♂️
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) April 3, 2025
The public spat highlights growing tensions among opposition parties as they position themselves ahead of elections. Mashaba, who has built his political brand on anti-corruption rhetoric, now faces questions about ActionSA’s decision-making processes after what appears to be a rushed budget endorsement.
Political analyst Professor Susan Booysen notes: “This incident reveals the tightrope opposition parties walk in Parliament. Mashaba’s reversal damages his carefully crafted image as a shrewd operator, while Malema gains ammunition to portray the EFF as the only consistent opposition force.”
The fiscal framework report, which outlines government spending priorities, passed with ActionSA’s initial support despite opposition from the EFF and other parties. Mashaba’s subsequent claim that critical information was withheld has been met with skepticism from rivals, who question why his party didn’t demand fuller disclosure before voting.
This confrontation underscores the complex dynamics of South African opposition politics, where former allies like Malema and Mashaba – who both emerged from anti-ANC movements – now compete for similar voter bases. As the budget debate continues, all eyes remain on whether Mashaba can recover from this strategic misstep while Malema capitalizes on his rival’s apparent vulnerability.
With economic pressures mounting nationwide, the incident has elevated scrutiny on opposition parties’ ability to provide credible alternatives. As Parliament moves forward with budget implementation, both leaders’ responses to this clash may reshape their parties’ trajectories in the lead-up to crucial elections.