R1 Million Lawsuit Threat Looms as 24-Hour Retraction Deadline Issued
PRETORIA – Julius Malema has moved swiftly to defend his reputation, threatening legal action against cultural activist and former radio presenter Ngizwe Mchunu over remarks allegedly made during a recent media interview.
Through his legal representatives at England Slabbert Attorneys, Malema is demanding R1 million in damages and has issued Mchunu with a 24-hour deadline to retract the statements.
The dispute centres on claims made during an interview with content creator King Zoso in Pretoria, where Mchunu allegedly accused Malema of receiving money from Nigerian drug dealers — an allegation his legal team has strongly denied.
Malema’s attorney, Angelike Charalambous, described the remarks as “false, malicious and defamatory,” arguing that they create the impression that the Economic Freedom Fighters leader is involved in criminal conduct.
She emphasised that Malema’s reputation is central to his role as both a Member of Parliament and leader of the EFF, and that the statements could cause significant harm to his public standing.
The legal letter further alleges that Mchunu’s comments were made with political intent ahead of the November local government elections, suggesting they were aimed at damaging both Malema’s image and the EFF’s electoral prospects. Mchunu is said to be aligned with the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MK Party).
Mchunu has been instructed to issue a public apology and withdraw the statements across all platforms where they were made — including his own social media accounts and the platform where the interview was broadcast.
Failure to comply within the 24-hour window, the letter warns, will trigger formal legal proceedings, which could include not only the R1 million damages claim but also a punitive costs order.
The case adds to a growing list of legal battles involving Malema, who has recently taken action against several public figures over alleged defamation, as political tensions continue to escalate ahead of the elections.
This article was originally posted by The South African
