Malema Accuses DA's Hill-Lewis of Hiding Racism Behind EFF Corruption Claims at Joburg Debate

• Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema clashed with Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis at the City of Johannesburg Leadership Debate over coalition governance
• Hill-Lewis raised the VBS Mutual Bank scandal, linking Malema and Floyd Shivambu to the theft of pensioners' funds in Limpopo
• Malema denied the VBS allegations and challenged Hill-Lewis to name specific instances of EFF mismanagement in Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, or Johannesburg

SOUTH AFRICA — Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema repeatedly pressed Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis to substantiate allegations of chaotic governance and corruption during the City of Johannesburg Leadership Debate on 1 October 2026 in the build-up to the 4 November Local Government Elections (LGE).

According to IOL, the clash began after Hill-Lewis accused the EFF of causing municipal instability. Malema immediately challenged him to provide concrete evidence of EFF mismanagement in Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, or Johannesburg. He pointed out that EFF Members of the Mayoral Committee maintain clean records and highlighted former Mayor Herman Mashaba’s past confirmation that the EFF never solicited tenders while supporting his administration.

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Hill-Lewis mentions VBS

When Hill-Lewis raised the VBS Mutual Bank scandal and accused the party of looting, Malema again demanded proof, noting that Parliament had cleared him of wrongdoing. He explained that former deputy president Floyd Shivambu was penalised for non-disclosure rather than corruption, calling Hill-Lewis's claims unsubstantiated accusations designed to disguise racial prejudice.

Malema argued that opponents attack the EFF not because of poor governance, but because they cannot control an independent, black-led party. Hill-Lewis, however, maintained that EFF involvement in coalitions consistently breeds instability.

Malema also defended Ekurhuleni's former MMC for Finance, Nkululeko Dunga, at the debate. The EFF posted a video of his statements. View it on X here:

Malema rejects calls to scrap IDAC

In a related article, Briefly News reported on Malema’s defence of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption and his call for stronger accountability measures. His remarks came as opposition parties and civil society groups pressed for the agency to be scrapped or overhauled.

Source: Briefly News