EFF leader Julius Malema has broken his silence about his controversial 2021 visit to former President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home, disclosing that their five-hour discussion centered on preventing national turmoil. At a press briefing this week, Malema claimed he had urged Zuma to comply with the Constitutional Court and testify before the Zondo Commission to avoid violent repercussions.
“If President Zuma had listened to me and gone to the Zondo Commission, we could have prevented the July riots that killed 350 people,” Malema asserted. “That’s the truth nobody wants to acknowledge.”
The deadly July 2021 unrest—triggered by Zuma’s imprisonment for contempt of court—left hundreds dead and caused billions in economic damage. Malema’s revelations come as South Africa continues to reckon with the causes and consequences of the violence.
A Warning Ignored
Malema described his Nkandla meeting as a last-ditch effort to mediate. Over tea, he reportedly warned Zuma that defying the courts would inflame tensions.
“I wasn’t there for politics. I was there to reason with him,” Malema said. “I knew his arrest would spark chaos if not handled carefully. But ego prevailed.”
Mixed Reactions Then, Political Reckoning Now
At the time, Malema’s visit drew criticism from opponents who saw it as opportunistic, while supporters viewed it as crisis intervention. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, Malema insists his actions were justified.
“Those who mocked me must explain what they did to stop the bloodshed,” he challenged. “I gave the warning. The consequences are on record.”
EFF’s Shifting Strategy
With local elections looming in 2026, Malema appears keen to reframe the EFF as a party of foresight and stability. His latest remarks may reignite debates about accountability for the July unrest and the unresolved scars of state capture.
As South Africa reflects on this turbulent chapter, Malema’s account adds a new layer to the enduring question: Could the violence have been avoided?
