MBOMBELA, Mpumalanga — Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) President Julius Malema has launched a scathing critique of the ANC’s governance in Mpumalanga, highlighting severe service delivery failures as the Local Government Elections (LGE) 2026 campaign intensifies. During a recent visit to the Zwelisha area in Mbombela, Malema condemned the ruling party’s infrastructure record, setting a combative tone for the upcoming elections while also addressing national security concerns.
To pay a courtesy visit to Nombuso Khoza, an EFF member who was seen getting emotional during a party rally in eMalahleni last month, Malema had to personally navigate the heavily pothole-riddled roads leading to her residence in Zwelisha. The difficult journey underscored the very issues the EFF leader came to highlight, leaving him visibly frustrated by the state of local infrastructure.
“Mpumalanga is rotten to the core,” Malema declared, criticizing the governing party’s track record. “There’s not a single municipality in Mpumalanga that you can think of as an example municipality. You can start in Bushbuckridge and finish in Nkomazi; everything else that was functional, the ANC has broken it down.”
Malema pointed out the stark lack of visible infrastructure development, noting that there are no new bridges or reliable roads to justify the ANC’s 32 years in power. He suggested that the ruling party’s continued electoral success in the region is largely due to voter manipulation regarding social assistance.
“I think the people here, if they vote for the ANC, it is just an issue of social grants. Maybe they think if we don’t vote for them, they won’t give us social grants. That is how they mislead them,” Malema explained, adding that there is no tangible infrastructure to give voters confidence in the ANC’s delivery record.
The sentiments of the EFF President were echoed by residents of Zwelisha and the broader Mbombela area, who are yearning for basic service delivery. Locals reported a dire lack of electricity and water, alongside severely damaged roads. Youth unemployment was also highlighted as a critical crisis, with many young people who have completed their matriculations left without work. Furthermore, residents expressed deep concern over escalating crime, citing rampant theft and killings in the community.
Beyond local governance, Malema also weighed in on national security, specifically addressing the return of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to office following the dropping of what Malema described as “concocted charges” against him.
Malema urged Masemola to use his return to bring stability to the police force without seeking revenge. “Whatever happened, happened. Let’s leave everything behind us and focus on the security of the people of South Africa, particularly women,” Malema stated.
He emphasized the need for strict discipline within the ranks, calling for an end to internal divisions. “There must be order in the police, and Masemola must ensure there is order. Any police woman or policeman who wants to continue with factionalism in that institution, Masemola must be very hard on those people.”
The EFF President’s campaign tour is set to continue this weekend. He is expected to address political rallies in Nkomazi and the City of Mbombela on Saturday, where he will likely further outline the party’s manifesto and critique the ANC’s local government performance ahead of the 2026 elections.
