MALEMA BREAKS SILENCE AFTER EFF’S MASSIVE ELECTION SETBACK: “WE ARE DOWN, BUT NOT OUT!”
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has finally addressed the party’s disappointing performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections, insisting that the party’s decline is a setback, not the end of its political journey.
Speaking during a media briefing at the National Results Operations Centre in Midrand, Malema acknowledged the EFF’s significant loss of support, with the party securing just 6.26% of the national vote and losing more than 612,000 votes.
HERE ARE THE FIVE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM HIS BRIEFING:
1.”WE ARE DOWN, BUT NOT OUT.”
Malema described the election outcome as a temporary setback, arguing that political struggles come with victories and defeats.
He insisted that the EFF would rise again, declaring that battle scars are not defeat but evidence of survival and courage.
2.HE BLAMES THE ANC’S GNU FOR THE EFF’S DECLINE.
Malema argued that the DA did not necessarily steal the EFF’s voters. Instead, he blamed the ANC’s decision to enter a Government of National Unity (GNU) with the DA in 2024.
According to him, the arrangement changed how voters viewed political cooperation, making it easier for former EFF supporters to consider voting for the DA.
3. NO COALITION WITH THE DA OR FF PLUS.
Despite the EFF’s reduced electoral strength, Malema has maintained a hardline position on coalition negotiations.
He ruled out working with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), while leaving the door open to negotiations with other parties to help fix struggling municipalities.
4. HE TAKES AIM AT HERMAN MASHABA.
Malema also turned his attention to ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, launching personal attacks and accusing him of misleading voters on issues affecting the country.
5. HE WOULD RATHER LOSE VOTES THAN PROMOTE XENOPHOBIA.
Perhaps one of the most significant moments of the briefing came when Malema addressed concerns about foreign nationals and alleged police compromise in Hillbrow.
He maintained that he would rather lose political support than turn against fellow Africans or promote hatred towards them.
THE BIGGER QUESTION: WHAT NEXT FOR THE EFF?
The 2026 election results have presented Julius Malema and the EFF with a serious political challenge.
A party that once positioned itself as a major force in South African opposition politics must now confront difficult questions about its declining support, political strategy and relationship with voters.
Malema says the revolution is not over.
But can the EFF rebuild its lost support and regain its political influence before the next national elections?
What do you think? Is this just a temporary setback for Julius Malema, or is the EFF beginning to lose its political relevance in South Africa?