Developing story: Helen Zille had not publicly responded to the demand at the time of writing.

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has demanded that the DA's Helen Zille retract and apologise for remarks about Johannesburg's City Power, giving her until close of business on Wednesday to comply.

The demand was made in a letter from Malema's attorneys, England Slabbert Attorneys Inc, who say they act for him. It comes as the DA, ActionSA and other parties begin coalition negotiations in Johannesburg.

What Zille is alleged to have said

According to the letter, Zille made the remarks in a television interview on Sunday 8 November, and they were later repeated in media reports and on X.

The attorneys say she alleged that Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba allowed Malema to influence major decisions in the city, including a City Power fleet tender, to the benefit of Malema and companies linked to him. They also say she alleged that a senior anti-corruption appointment in the city was made on Malema's instruction.

What Malema's lawyers are demanding

The letter asks Zille to:

  • retract the statements and apologise publicly, acknowledging they were untrue and defamatory;
  • post the retraction on her Facebook, X and Instagram accounts and issue it as a press statement in her name;
  • submit the wording to the attorneys for approval before publication; and
  • give a written undertaking not to repeat or republish the statements.

The attorneys warn that if she does not comply by close of business on Wednesday 11 November, Malema will take further legal action without further notice, including a claim for damages and an interdict to stop further publication. The letter does not state a damages amount.

The lawyers describe the allegations as "vexatious, misplaced, spurious and untrue". They argue the statements are allegations of fact rather than opinion, and that no basis was given for them. They say the remarks were made deliberately for political revenge.

Why it matters for Johannesburg

The row lands in the middle of talks over who will govern Johannesburg after the 4 November local government elections. ActionSA has said its objection in the city is to Zille as a mayoral candidate, not to the DA as a party, which adds a further layer of tension to the negotiations.

What we do not yet know

Neither Zille nor the DA has publicly responded to the letter. It is not yet clear whether she will retract, defend her remarks or let the deadline pass. The claims in the letter are Malema's side of the dispute and have not been tested in court.