Malema backs grassroots mayor system, defends Dunga

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, has outlined a major shift in the party’s local government strategy, insisting that future mayors must emerge from ward-level leadership, while also rejecting personality-driven campaigning and defending newly appointed Gauteng Finance MEC, Nkululeko Dunga.

Briefing the media in Johannesburg on Thursday, Malema said the new approach is aimed at strengthening grassroots accountability and reducing factionalism ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

– Ward councillors to be the only pathway to mayoral office –

Malema announced that only ward candidates will qualify to become mayors under the party’s revised selection process, signalling a decisive move away from centrally imposed leadership.

He said even candidates who lose ward elections could still be considered for mayoral positions, provided they demonstrate strong performance and community support.

“So the criteria we are going to follow is that people are going to be elected as ward candidates and will choose from amongst ward candidates who’s going to be a mayor. So you can’t be a mayor if you are not an ward candidate or if you are not an award candidate,” he said.

The party will also restructure its Proportional Representation (PR) lists, using them as placeholders that will later be replaced by high-performing ward candidates.

Malema argued that this system prioritises hard work over political connections and gives communities a greater role in approving leadership.

– EFF rejects personality-driven campaigning –

At the same briefing, Malema doubled down on the party’s rejection of personality politics, pushing back against calls for the EFF to campaign around high-profile mayoral faces.

He said the party’s campaign strategy will be led by the organisation itself, not individuals.

“We are putting the organization. People are going to vote for the EFF. And our strategy is not a strategy of a DA and then a DA breakaway. Mashaba (Herman Mashaba) is a DA breakaway. And then the DA and us don’t strategize the same. We’re not together. We’ll never be the same. We refuse. We’re not going to put any mayoral candidate pushed by the neoliberal media or DA or any other political party. We do things according to how we see them fit,” Malema said.

Malema explained that the EFF will first present its manifesto before releasing a consolidated list of candidates, from which mayoral leaders will eventually be selected.

He reiterated that only ward councillors – those with direct electoral mandates – will be eligible for mayoral roles.

– Malema defends Dunga amid backlash –

Malema also came out strongly in defence of Dunga following criticism of his appointment as Gauteng Finance MEC by Premier Panyaza Lesufi.

The appointment, part of a coalition agreement, has faced opposition from organisations such as SANCO and ANC-aligned structures, who have called for Dunga’s removal.

Dunga previously served as Finance MMC in Ekurhuleni between 2022 and 2023 before being removed during a political deadlock over the city’s budget.

Malema dismissed allegations against him, insisting there is no evidence of wrongdoing and describing the backlash as politically motivated.

He also accused Ekurhuleni mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, of sidelining Dunga because he was viewed as a political threat.

“That mayor could not match Dunga, Dunga has brains, thinking capacity, charisma and handsomeness. Dunga is more presentable than him; Dunga has got no phuza face and things like that. He hates him because he does not have a phuza face,” he said.

Malema maintained that Dunga is qualified for the role and that criticism of his appointment is an attempt to undermine the EFF’s influence in government.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe