Soweto, Gauteng — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has officially intensified its 2026 Local Government Elections campaign in Soweto, with party leader Julius Malema leading an aggressive door-to-door outreach aimed at securing control of the Johannesburg city council. As the November 4 polls approach, the party is focusing heavily on key battlegrounds in the province, leveraging its current position in the coalition government to pitch a vision of radical municipal restructuring, improved service delivery, and uncompromising leadership.
Johannesburg remains one of the most hotly contested political battlegrounds in the country, making control of the city council a primary focus for all major parties. The EFF, currently part of the coalition governing the city, views its electoral performance in this cycle as crucial to the municipality’s political and operational future.
Door-to-Door Outreach and Local Priorities
Kicking off the campaign in Doornkop, Soweto, Malema engaged directly with residents, moving through neighborhoods to discuss grassroots challenges. The party’s regional chairperson, Sunnyboy Mkhabela, emphasized that the campaign is targeting middle-class homeowners and residents in areas like Ward 130 to address pressing issues such as expensive electricity, water shortages, high rates and taxes, and crime.
During interactions with the community, safety emerged as a top priority. Residents expressed concerns about walking in the dark, prompting Malema to promise collaboration with city entities and City Power to improve street lighting. To combat crime, the EFF is proposing the installation of solar-powered street cameras to assist law enforcement and the deployment of special Tactical Response Units (TRU) to manage emerging crime hotspots.
Mkhabela also highlighted the party’s commitment to inclusive economic policies. If given full control, the EFF plans to prioritize women-led, youth-led, and LGBTQA+ entrepreneurs, as well as people with disabilities, in the city’s supply chain. Furthermore, the party advocates for the direct employment of residents to handle basic service delivery, such as rapidly responding to water leaks and fixing potholes.
Defending the Coalition Record and Municipal Restructuring
Addressing their current role in the coalition government, Mkhabela defended the EFF’s track record, noting that the party leads the portfolios of Health and Social Development, as well as Community Safety. He pointed to the successful insourcing of security services, the establishment of 24-hour clinics in areas like Protea and Ward 130, and the stabilization of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) through the appointment of permanent commissioners.
However, Mkhabela acknowledged the limitations of a coalition, attributing failures in road maintenance and sewage management to other coalition partners who hold those specific portfolios. He stated that the EFF’s ultimate goal is to take full control of Johannesburg with its own mayor and 10 Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) to fully implement its program.
The EFF’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, outlined a strict 100-day governance plan focused on structural reform. Dr. Mofokeng criticized the over-corporatization of the city’s municipal entities, noting that there are more than 13 entities with duplicated mandates, some of whose CEOs earn more than the President. The EFF plans to collapse these entities to eliminate duplicated costs and redirect funds toward basic service delivery.
Stance on Immigration and Policing
On the contentious issue of immigration, Mkhabela clarified that the EFF recognizes immigration as a national mandate, not a municipal one. While the party firmly opposes unlawful immigrants and demands that everyone in the country be documented, Mkhabela stressed that the EFF will not exploit the issue merely to drum up municipal votes, as the city council lacks the legal mandate to handle immigration enforcement.
Regarding local policing, Malema addressed the ongoing power struggles between the JMPD and the South African Police Service (SAPS). He promised that under an EFF-led city, the JMPD would conduct regular, visible patrols to ensure rapid response times, the gaps left by SAPS station bottlenecks.
Political Rivalries and Coalition Red Lines
The campaign trail has also seen Malema take sharp aim at political rivals. He heavily criticized Democratic Alliance (DA) Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille, mocking her campaign style of arriving in a BMW (which he referred to as a “Gushes”) and accusing her of butchering Brenda Fassie’s songs. Malema contrasted Zille’s approach with Dr. Mofokeng’s community-focused background, such as teaching the poor to plant vegetables, and accused Zille of harboring a history of racism and falsely claiming revolutionary credentials.
Malema also launched a scathing attack on another rival mayoral candidate, describing him as an ex-convict with a criminal record, and referenced alleged vulgar behavior and scandals to question the integrity of the opposition’s choices compared to Dr. Mofokeng.
Looking ahead to post-election negotiations, Malema drew strict red lines. The EFF is entering the election with the sole intention of winning an outright majority and has ruled out pre-election coalition talks. However, should a coalition become necessary, Malema confirmed the EFF will absolutely not partner with the DA or the Freedom Front Plus (FF+). He also stated the EFF will not join the Government of National Unity (GNU) as long as the DA and FF+ are part of it, echoing recent sentiments by the ANC Secretary General regarding a review of the GNU’s composition. Malema argued that the EFF cannot sit in a cabinet with parties that he claims were involved in the deaths of children, referencing historical figures like Solomon Mahlangu.
Challenging Liberation Politics
Finally, Malema addressed the EFF’s struggle to capitalize on the declining electoral support of the ANC. He argued that South African voters remain “married to history” and “hypnotized” by liberation politics, which blinds them to the current realities and prevents them from holding the governing party accountable.
Malema pointed to the numerous ANC leaders facing court cases and appearing before the Zondo Commission, contrasting this with the EFF’s clean record. He urged voters to look beyond historical loyalties and focus on current service delivery, efficiency, and the urgent need to fix the city’s infrastructure.
As the November 4 election date looms, the EFF is also mobilizing for a massive rally scheduled for October 31 at Orlando Stadium, signaling their intent to fight fiercely for every vote in the Soweto constituency and the broader Johannesburg metropolitan area.
