Johannesburg – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has threatened to sue Democratic Alliance (DA) Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille for R1 million over allegations that he influenced key decisions in the City of Johannesburg during Herman Mashaba’s tenure as mayor.
Malema has instructed his lawyers to take legal action against Zille, demanding that she retract the statements and apologise publicly.
♦️Breaking News♦️
The legal representatives of President and Commander-in-Chief of the EFF Julius Malema, have issued a formal legal demand against DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille following an interview with eNCA on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
Helen Zille made false and defamatory statements about CIC Malema, claiming that he dictated decisions in the City of Johannesburg, captured City Power, influenced the fleet tender for the benefit of himself and his front companies, and instructed the appointment of Shadrack Sibiya as head of the City’s anti-corruption unit.
These allegations are untrue and defamatory. Helen Zille must retract her statements, issue a public apology, publish a formal press statement and undertake in writing not to repeat these allegations.
She has until close of business on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, to comply, failing which further legal action will be instituted.
— Sinawo Thambo (@Sinawo_Thambo) November 10, 2026
The dispute follows an interview Zille gave to eNCA, in which she accused Mashaba of allowing Malema to dictate major municipal decisions in exchange for the EFF’s political support to remain in power.
In comments, Zille alleged that Mashaba allowed Malema to influence decisions involving City Power and the city’s 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 said.
She also alleged that Malema instructed Mashaba to appoint former senior police official Shadrack Sibiya as head of Johannesburg’s anti-corruption unit.
Madam Zille said Julius Malema instructed Uncle Herman Mashaba to appoint Shadrack Sibiya as head of Anti Corruption Unit https://t.co/WixNhsiSAn
— ankolecostmillions (@kapa_robert) November 8, 2026
Zille claimed that Mashaba needed the EFF’s support to remain mayor and that the appointments and decisions were part of the political compromises made to maintain the coalition government.
However, Malema has rejected the allegations as false and defamatory. His lawyers are demanding a retraction, a public apology, a formal statement and a written undertaking that Zille will not repeat the claims.
The controversy comes amid growing political tensions following the 2026 local government elections, with parties preparing for coalition negotiations in Johannesburg.
Business Day has reported on ActionSA’s efforts to persuade the DA to reconsider Zille’s mayoral candidacy, amid its strained relationship with Mashaba.
The latest dispute also revives an earlier legal confrontation between the two politicians. In 2012, Malema and former ANC Youth League spokesperson Floyd Shivambu apologised to Zille and retracted defamatory remarks made about her during the 2009 election campaign following a settlement made an order of the Western Cape High Court.
The latest legal threat adds another dimension to the increasingly bitter political contest over Johannesburg’s future leadership.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@EFFSouthAfrica
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
