Zille Rejects Malema’s Defamation Demands: “No. See You in Court.”
DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille has rejected EFF leader Julius Malema’s demands for a public apology and retraction over remarks she made about his alleged influence in the City of Johannesburg.
In a letter addressed to Malema’s attorneys, Minde Schapiro & Smith Inc., acting for the DA and Zille, confirmed receipt of a letter of demand dated 9 November 2026 before dismissing all the demands.
“The answer to all your client’s demands is: No. See you in court,” the attorneys stated.
The dispute follows Zille’s eNCA interview on Sunday, 8 November, in which she accused Malema of wielding influence over decisions during former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba’s tenure between 2016 and 2019.
Zille alleged that Malema influenced municipal appointments, tenders and decisions involving City Power. She further claimed Mashaba had described this alleged arrangement as the price of keeping the coalition government in power.
Malema’s lawyers have described the allegations as false and defamatory, demanding a public retraction, an apology and a written undertaking that Zille would not repeat the claims.
They gave her until close of business on Wednesday, 11 November, to comply, threatening further legal action, including a damages claim and an interdict.
In their response, Zille’s attorneys invited Malema’s legal team to serve any court application on them via email.
The dispute comes amid political tensions ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with Zille campaigning to become Johannesburg mayor.
