Malema threatens legal action against Zille over defamatory claims

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema is taking legal action against Democratic Alliance (DA) Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille, accusing her of making defamatory allegations. Malema's lawyers have issued Zille with a formal demand following an eNCA interview on Sunday. The allegations in question were made by Zille, who claimed Malema dictated decisions in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality during Herman Mashaba's mayoral tenure.

According to Zille, Malema allowed him to dictate major decisions and capture City Power, as well as dictate the fleet's tender. She also claimed that Malema instructed the appointment of Shadrack Sibiya as head of the city's anti-corruption unit. Malema has rejected these allegations as false and defamatory. His lawyers are demanding that Zille retract the statements, issue a public apology, publish a formal statement, and provide a written undertaking that she will not repeat the claims.

The formal demand was issued after Zille's interview on Sunday, in which she made the allegations against Malema. The EFF leader's lawyers take issue with the remarks made by Zille, which they believe are defamatory. Malema has been a vocal critic of the DA and has been involved in several high-profile disputes with the party. This latest development is likely to escalate tensions between the EFF and the DA.

The City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality has been a key battleground in the lead-up to the local government elections. The EFF and the DA are both major players in the city, and the mayoral election is expected to be highly contested. Zille's allegations against Malema may have been an attempt to discredit him and gain an advantage for the DA.

Malema's lawyers are seeking a retraction of the statements, a public apology, and a formal statement from Zille. They are also demanding that Zille provide a written undertaking that she will not repeat the claims. If Zille fails to comply with the demand, Malema may take further legal action. The EFF leader has a history of taking a hard line on perceived slights and has been involved in several high-profile disputes with other politicians.

The Democratic Alliance has yet to respond to the formal demand issued by Malema's lawyers. However, the party has previously denied any wrongdoing and has accused Malema of making baseless allegations. The DA is likely to argue that Zille's allegations were protected by privilege and that she was simply exercising her right to free speech.

The dispute between Malema and Zille is likely to continue to play out in the courts. Malema's decision to take legal action against Zille is a significant escalation of the dispute, and it remains to be seen how the matter will be resolved. The outcome of the dispute could have significant implications for both the EFF and the DA, and may impact on the mayoral election in Johannesburg.

Key points

• Malema's lawyers have issued Zille with a formal demand to retract her statements and provide a written undertaking that she will not repeat the claims.