By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema addressed the media at the IEC National Results Operations Centre (NROC) at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand following the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Malema address follows the electoral decline from 2.4 million votes (10.31% in 2021) down to 1.8 million (6.26%), dropping the party from third to fourth place nationally.
The result reshapes the opposition landscape in South Africa ahead of the 2029 national elections, where the EFF expects to remain a national political player.
The EFF lost of 612,326 votes, while its ward representation rose from 19 to 27 seats.
Malema conceded the elections were fair while maintaining that “they don’t give up because the journey has become difficult”.
He noted that the EFF’s drop was partly driven by low voter turnout in townships compared to high turnout rates in predominantly white suburban areas.
Malema blamed the African National Congress (ANC) for legitimising what he called “white supremacist” or right-wing forces through its coalition and government arrangements with the Democratic Alliance (DA).
He argued that the ANC legitimised right-wing and DA-led forces by partnering with them and awarding them key ministerial and governing portfolios.
Malema urged the ANC, the MK Party, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the EFF to abandon the DA, demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa step aside to form a progressive alliance.
He blamed an international smear campaign for the party’s sharp decline in support, accusing right-wing lobby group AfriForum of travelling to the US to denounce the EFF and undermine its electoral prospects.
“This is a victory for those who went to the US and told the White House there was a white genocide in South Africa while denouncing the EFF,” he said.
“It is a victory for AfriForum. It is a victory for the Boeremag.”
He insisted that the EFF remained a national organisation with a footprint across the country and could recover its lost support.
As of 2.15pm on Saturday, with 98% of the national vote counted, the IEC’s results dashboard showed the EFF on 6.25%, with 490 seats and no leading or controlled councils.
The ANC remained in the lead with 30.9% of the vote, followed by the DA on 24.59%. MK Party held third place with 9.61% and 694 seats, well ahead of the EFF.