Zille given until Wednesday to apologise to Malema

The Democratic Alliance’s (DA), Helen Zille, has been given until close of business Wednesday to issue an apology to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, over remarks his lawyers claim are defamatory.

Malema’s lawyers  have issued a formal legal demand to Zille over comments she made during an interview with eNCA at the National Results Operations Centre on Sunday.

The DA’s mayoral candidate in Johannesburg is heard accusing Malema of dictating decisions in the City of Johannesburg during Herman Mashaba’s tenure as mayor.

Zille claims Mashaba became Malema’s puppet during his tenure, all in the name of staying in power.

“Mashaba doesn’t like me because when I was in the leadership of the DA and he was our mayor in Joburg, he became an EFF mayor. He allowed Julius Malema to dictate major decisions and capture City Power and dictate the fleets tender and do all kinds of things because Herman wanted to stay in Power and he needed Julius ‘ support to do that.

“He even appointed Shadrack Sibiya as the head of the anti-corruption unit, and when I said you can’t do that, he said, well, that’s what you have to do to stay in power.”

So according to Helen Zille her fallout with Herman Mashaba was because he became Julius Malema’s mayor and doing everything that Julius wanted which she wasnt happy with. 🤔 https://t.co/MfiWv9zac4

— Black Diamond (@Diamond_Blackie) November 8, 2026

Malema’s lawyers say the interview portrays him as dishonest and lacking integrity.

They further allege that the remarks suggest that the EFF leader abuses his political influence to unlawfully control public bodies and public procurement processes, is corrupt and associates with individuals for ulterior or unlawful purposes.

The lawyers have described Zille’s allegations as vexatious, misplaced, spurious and untrue.

♦️Breaking News♦️

The legal representatives of President and Commander-in-Chief of the EFF, @Julius_S_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.

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 10, 2026

When asked in a social media post whether she would retract her remarks, Zille responded “No”.

Zille has received a PDF from Malema regarding defamatory statements she made about Malema and allegations that Malema influenced Mashaba to hire Sibiya amongst other things.

Zille has until Wednesday to retract and apologize.

Will she retract?

Find out in the next episode #EzopolotikinoMthetho #CountryDuty

— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) November 10, 2026

All the minions sent to defend Hellen Zille have all came out to codemn Mashaba and attack him.

None of them defended Zille by providing evidence that she is not racist, instead, they attack the inaudible Mashaba.

Keep the racist DA out & save Joburg from zionists!

— iKing uHani (@KingTsebela) November 10, 2026