Helen Zille tells Julius Malema: See you in court

The DA’s Helen Zille said she will not retract statements she made about EFF leader Julius Malema and that she will see him in court.

On Sunday, 8 November 2026, Zille told ENCA that ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba became the EFF’s mayor when he was in charge of the City of Johannesburg.

Mashaba served as the mayor of Johannesburg from 22 August 2016 to 27 November 2019, while still a Democratic Alliance member.

“Mashaba doesn’t like me because, when I was in the leadership of the DA, and he was our mayor in Joburg, he effectively became the EFF’s mayor,” she said.

“He allowed Julius Malema to dictate major decisions, capture City Power, dictate the fleet tender, and act in the interests of Malema and his front companies.”

“Herman Mashaba did this because he wanted to stay in power and needed Julius Malema’s support to do so.”

“He even appointed Shadrack Sibiya as the head of the anti-corruption unit on Julius Malema’s instruction.”

Zille alleged that when she told Mashaba he could not do that, he said it was the price of staying in power.

These comments did not sit well with Malema, who said that they were false and defamatory and that she should retract them.

On 9 November 2026, the legal representatives of Julius Malema, England Slabbert Attorney, issued a formal legal demand against Zille.

“These allegations are untrue and defamatory. Helen Zille must retract her statements, issue a public apology,” the EFF said.

“Zille must also 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.

However, Zille has already indicated that she will not retract her statements or apologise for them.

Her lawyers, Minde Schapiro & Smith, based in Cape Town, responded to Malema’s legal demands in a terse letter.

“We have received your letter dated 9th November 2026. The answer to all your client’s demands is: No. See you in court,” they said.

Helen Zille’s legal response to Julius Malema’s demands