The legal representatives of Julius Malema have issued a formal demand to media personality Ngizwe Mchunu, accusing him of making defamatory statements during a widely circulated interview on 28 April 2026.
According to the letter from England Slabbert Attorneys Inc., acting on behalf of Malema, the comments were made during an interview with “King Zoso” outside the Union Buildings and later spread across platforms, including X and TikTok.
In the interview, Mchunu allegedly claimed that Malema had received R60 million from Nigerian drug dealers and suggested he was protecting illegal immigrants for political gain. He further used derogatory language, stating that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader “eats imali yamakwerekwere,” a slur referring to African foreign nationals.
Malema’s legal team has rejected the claims as “untrue, malicious, and damaging,” arguing that they create the impression that he is involved in criminal conduct and lacks integrity. The lawyers maintain that the allegations are not only false but also calculated to undermine Malema’s reputation as a Member of Parliament and Commander-in-Chief of the EFF.
The letter outlines a series of reputational harms allegedly caused by Mchunu’s remarks, including portraying Malema as a criminal, fraudster, dishonest, manipulative, and unfit to hold public office. It further argues that the statements suggest he acts in his own interests rather than those of the public and lacks the ethical standards required of a political leader.
Malema’s attorneys also contend that the statements were made deliberately and in bad faith, accusing Mchunu, who they say is a known supporter of the MK party, of attempting to gain political leverage ahead of upcoming local government elections. They argue that the intent was to erode public trust in both Malema and the EFF in order to reduce voter support.
The interview’s wide circulation online has, according to the legal letter, significantly amplified the alleged harm. “The reach of your defamatory statements is extensive and continues to cause reputational damage,” the attorneys state, warning that the ongoing availability of the content worsens the impact.
As part of their demands, Malema’s legal team has given Mchunu 24 hours to retract the statements, issue a public apology, and publish a press statement across all his social media platforms, including Facebook, X, TikTok, and Instagram. They have also instructed that the apology be shared with “King Zoso” for posting and distributed to media houses via the EFF’s communications department.
In addition, Malema is seeking R1 million in damages for the harm allegedly caused. The attorneys have warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe will result in legal proceedings, including a claim for damages and a possible punitive costs order.
The dispute adds to a growing list of controversies involving Mchunu. He has previously been criticised for making derogatory remarks toward public figures, including Somizi Mhlongo and the LGBTQI+ community. During a recent Metro FM after-party, Mchunu was seen attempting to give a handshake to Mhlongo, who ignored him, prompting Mchunu to launch into further insults. He also referred to Mhlongo’s bodyguard as “istabane”, a derogatory word used to describe those in the community.
He has also faced backlash for insulting a gay couple and media personality Dominic Zaca over their attire, drawing condemnation from the South African Human Rights Commission, which urged him to apologise within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Malema recently secured a legal victory in April against blogger Musa Khawula in a separate matter, underscoring his willingness to pursue legal recourse over reputational harm.
It remains unclear whether Mchunu will comply with the demands or contest the matter in court.
African Times contacted Mchunu for a comment, at the time of print, he had not commented.
