Julius Malema (MMA), the Commander-in-Chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is one of the most widely discussed politicians in South Africa. A major topic of conversation is how a politician, leading the country's fourth biggest party, has managed to acquire the wealth he possesses.
A new book, Malema: Money, Power, Patronage, co-authored by Micah Reddy and Polly Funv, seeks to detail Malema's business dealings. Reddy noted that Malema has "liberated himself very successfully from the shackles of poverty" and is a very gifted politician. However, the book argues, across its roughly 350 pages, that much of his wealth is "ill gotten".
A History of Questionable Schemes
Malema's schemes are described as very diverse and sprawling, dating back to when he was a young politician in the ANC Youth League. During this early period, Malema "cut his teeth on tenders". His income "rocketed vastly," outpacing what he could have legitimately earned, which eventually drew the attention of the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
When Malema was a major power player in Limpopo, his rise was closely tied to then-premier Castle Matale. In Limpopo, various tenders were awarded under highly questionable circumstances to his fronts and politically connected associates. These included:
- School Feeding Schemes: Malema's close associates were disproportionately involved in tenders for these schemes, many of which were ultimately botched. This led to children going hungry while the state was "being fleeced by these politically connected contractors".
- Supplying Labels for Medicines: Malema was also involved in schemes related to supplying labels to the provincial health department.
A particularly big scandal in Limpopo was On Point. The Limpopo Department of Roads and Transport essentially outsourced procurement to this Malema-linked company, which then "bled the department dry". On Point created huge conflicts of interest by being in charge of awarding tenders, which it subsequently gave to favored, politically connected bidders. The Public Protector investigated On Point and concluded that it looked like fraud and corruption, which formed the basis for a criminal trial that ultimately did not proceed.
Major Fraudulent Deals
Malema continued to be involved in extensive scandals throughout his career. The VBS scandal was one that seemed to stick in the public consciousness, possibly because it involved the money of widows and orphans. It was described as a "bank heist" that clearly affected the very poor people Malema claims to represent, such as pensioners and stockvels in rural Limpopo. Malema and Floyd Shivambu were implicated in this elaborate scheme.
The book also points to the Tshwane fleet deal, which the authors argue was "outright fraudulent". Malema is said to have benefited from this deal "to the tune of millions". The City of Tshwane was brazenly ripped off by a contractor, Hendrik Kanyo (using BBT Balimi trading), who gamed the system with inside help. Evidence suggested Malema was being paid in connection with this fraudulent deal while serving as an elected representative in Parliament. Marshall Clamini, who has been very close to Malema, was also a key "fixer" in the metros and benefited through front companies. Despite the clear evidence, the authors note that they don't even know of an investigation underway regarding the Tshwane case.
Why Cases Against Malema Collapse
A central theme the book highlights is the failure to hold Malema to account, despite his involvement in a "vast array of different scandals".
The sources show that there is often an ample paper trail, but when investigations do start, they are often botched, or prosecutorial processes fail.
- SARS: The revenue service had built a "very strong case" against Malema. They had attached his assets and identified millions in undisclosed, unaccounted-for monies, which Malema tried to explain away as political donations. However, the case, which appeared watertight, suddenly "just disappeared" and was withdrawn at the last minute.
- NPA and Hawks: The NPA is viewed as being either incapable or unwilling to tackle complex, sensitive high-profile cases. The Hawks, too, are considered "completely politically compromised at many levels". Even though On Point charges were thrown out on a technicality and could be reinstated, the NPA has not given an adequate answer as to why this has not happened. The head of the NPA, Shamila Batohi, has claimed that the bar for prosecution is too high, an explanation that many find inadequate given the compelling evidence produced by investigative journalists.
The problem is partly due to systemic breakdown; institutions of accountability were gutted and politicized during the Jacob Zuma years. Furthermore, state capture has become so "diffuse" and "normalized" at many layers of the state, making it extremely difficult to fight the corruption.
Malema's Survival and Political Clout
Malema remains a very influential power broker with an extensive political network. He is described as incredibly "scandalprone" yet consistently avoids accountability.
He uses several methods to defend himself:
- Deflection: Malema excels at deflection and presenting himself as a political martyr who is being persecuted because he champions radical politics.
- Disinformation: Journalists who investigate him are labeled as "stratcom agents," and he is skilled at spinning conspiracies in the age of social media.
- Party Control: While the EFF is the fourth largest party in Parliament, Malema holds an "absolute iron grip" on it. The EFF is often labeled a "cult" built around his charismatic personality.
- Patronage and ANC Influence: Malema seems to retain real influence within certain factions of the ANC and has been very effective at "weaponizing internal ANC factionalism". He is described as an "expert power broker".
- Coalition Politics: Malema has been successful at exploiting the "new kind of messiness" of coalition politics. In Johannesburg, the EFF had real influence over former mayor Mashaba, even without a formal coalition. Exploiting this new era of coalition politics is likely to sustain him politically and allows smaller parties to wield disproportionate influence.
A Complex and Contradictory Politician
Malema is acknowledged as a complex human being, often contradictory, opportunistic, and hypocritical. Despite his flaws and many corruption scandals, Reddy argues that he is a more sincere politician than many other crooked politicians.
Malema genuinely sees himself as a champion of poor, working-class black South Africans, and he is an eloquent spokesperson for their interests. This perspective is likely shaped by his own background, as he comes from deep poverty and has experienced structural racism.
He has also taken positions based on political principle, even when they are unpopular among his own constituency and society at large, such as his stances on xenophobia or LGBTQ rights. His critics may disagree with his radical politics—such as nationalization and land reform—but these stem from "real deeply held positions of principle".
However, the authors also recognize that Malema is a dangerous politician who treats the Constitution in "very expedient ways" and is, in many respects, "a threat to democracy".