Old Photo of Julius Malema With His Cousin Mpho Gets South Africa Talking

• A photo of EFF leader Julius Malema alongside his cousin, businessman Mpho Edward Malema, resurfaced
• Mpho Malema, 40, was reportedly arrested and faces charges of fraud, corruption and theft in connection with a ghost fleet tender
• South Africans shared strong reactions to the image, with many weighing in on the alleged link between the tender scandal and the political leader
• Claims linking Julius Malema to the alleged scandal have not been established by a court, and the allegations remain unproven

A photograph of Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema standing alongside his cousin Mpho Edward Malema is making the rounds on social media.

The image gained new attention after media reports stated that Mpho, 40, was arrested by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team at a Pretoria shopping mall in connection with a R16 million ghost fleet tender scandal tied to the Emfuleni Local Municipality.

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X user @BafanaSurprise posted the image on 4 September 2026 alongside claims involving Julius Malema. The claims have not been independently verified, and no court ruling has established the allegations.

The Ghost Fleet scandal

A company was contracted to supply Emfuleni municipality with 18 vehicles, including trucks, bakkies and graders. According to reports, the municipality paid in full, but investigators allege that only seven vehicles were ever delivered. The arrested businessman is set to appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court on 7 September 2026, facing charges of fraud, corruption and theft.

See the arrest details here.

Mzansi reacts to the photo

South Africans did not hold back in the comments section on the X page:

@Psymaddgav wrote:

"Dodgy people."

@MadumetsaTeffu said:

"Tshepo Malema was also arrested/ been going up and down with the law since 2011 - on plk tenders."

@JackSmithSon077 shared:

"It is impossible to exaggerate my lack of surprise."

@ChrisMabasmjxf added:

"Malema is something else; we never thought he was this!!!"

@brentus_dupreez said:

"Nobody can fix anything because they're all corrupt..."

@MzansiFarmer asked:

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"What is Juju wearing here."

@Sue661258154778 simply responded:

"Are you serious."

See the X post below:

More on SA arrests and controversies

• Briefly News recently reported that a reality TV star known for her outspoken personality is now wanted by police after a warrant was issued against her.
• A political activist hit back at Julius Malema after he made a bold call in parliament about who should face arrest over recent protests.
• A street vendor was caught selling something she should not have had access to, sparking questions about where she got her supply.

Source: Briefly News