‘You Should Have Locked Them Up’: Malema Grills Ramaphosa Over Anti-foreigner Protests

• EFF president Julius Malema challenged Cyril Ramaphosa in Parliament on 25 August 2026 over the ongoing anti-foreigner violence
• Malema alleged that police were present during attacks on foreign nationals but made no arrests, suggesting possible state involvement
• Ramaphosa responded that police were following up on information and that a number of people had already been arrested

SOUTH AFRICA — Economic Freedom Fighters president Julius Malema confronted President Cyril Ramaphosa during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on 25 August 2026, pressing him on the government's failure to hold perpetrators of anti-foreigner violence accountable.

Malema questions lack of action against perpetrators

Malema told the House that the individuals behind the violence targeting foreign nationals were known to authorities.

"We know who the perpetrators are," he said, questioning why no arrests had been made.

He further alleged that police officers were present at scenes of violence without intervening, which he argued created the impression that the attacks were sanctioned by the state.

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Cyril Ramaphosa vows action against individuals behind attacks on African foreign nationals

"This hardens the attitude of our sister nations on the continent," Malema warned.

He further commented that the failure to act as a matter with serious diplomatic consequences for South Africa's standing in Africa.

Malema points to meetings with protest leaders

The EFF leader also raised the issue of two individuals widely identified as leaders of the anti-foreigner movement meeting with Ramaphosa ahead of the 30 June protests, in an apparent reference to Nkosikhona Phakelumthakathi Ndabandba and Ngiazwe Mchunu. Malema argued that the president should have taken action against them at that point.

"You should have locked them up when they came to meet you," he said.

Ramaphosa responds on arrests

Ramaphosa pushed back, telling the National Assembly that he had been briefed by police that investigations were ongoing and that several individuals had been arrested in connection with the violence.

"We are obviously concerned about the actions that have been taken against many Africans in our country," he said.

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Social media reacts

@SandileKaMsibi questioned the legal basis for detaining the protest leaders, writing:

"What would the charge be? Ramaphosa also knows what happens when the state recklessly arrests protesters."

@Lebza1238 was dismissive of the EFF's position:

"Malema and EFF leadership had long accepted the party would never be in power. "

@lerobamotsamai1 asked:

·"Why is he not locked up cause was found guilty?"

@MashaRostovv said:

"The wannabe dictator, Julius Malema, will never become the President of the Republic of South Africa."

@Yayobeats1 commented:

He’s such an advocate for locking people up when he himself is fighting to not be locked up after being found guilty."

Malema says Ramaphosa will face jail time over Phala Phala

Briefly News previously reported that EFF leader Julius Malema doubled down on his criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa, claiming that the president will eventually face jail time over the Phala Phala saga. Malema made the remarks during a conversation with broadcaster and political analyst JJ Tabane on the Frank Dialogue podcast today, 15 May 2026. The Economic Freedom Fighters have consistently called for Ramaphosa to step down since the Phala Phala scandal emerged in 2022.

Source: Briefly News