Malema blames ANC-DA GNU for DA’s gains in 2026 local elections

EFF leader Julius Malema says the ANC’s decision to govern with the DA after the 2024 elections helped make the opposition party more acceptable to voters ahead of the 2026 local government polls.

EFF leader Julius Malema has accused the ANC of paving the way for the DA’s 2026 local government support, arguing that its decision to enter a Government of National Unity (GNU) with its former political rival in 2024 helped legitimise the party in the eyes of voters.

Addressing journalists at the National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on Saturday, Malema rejected claims that the DA had stolen votes, insisting that voters had made a conscious choice after watching the ANC bring the party into government.

“There is no DA that stole votes; our people voted for DA. To say DA stole votes, you are lying. The DA did not steal votes,” he said.

Malema argued that the ANC’s decision to share power with the DA had sent voters a message that made supporting the rival party more acceptable.

He said voters were now questioning why they should not vote for the DA when the ANC was willing to sit alongside it in Cabinet and give it strategic positions.

“The ANC said that, and people said in 2026, if the ANC can work with them, sit with them in Cabinet, why not vote for them?” Malema said.

He blamed the ANC’s political strategy for the consequences now facing parties that previously relied on its traditional support base.

According to Malema, the ANC had effectively legitimised the DA by bringing it into government, strengthening its political standing.

His remarks also signalled resistance to coalition arrangements involving the DA, particularly as negotiations over municipal governance gather momentum.

Malema took a swipe at Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille, saying she had become increasingly boastful.

“And they allowed her to do that. I am so happy with that deployment,” he said.

On coalition negotiations, Malema warned that the EFF would not bend to an ANC unwilling to compromise.

He suggested the party could withdraw from negotiations and allow Zille to take charge rather than accept an agreement on the ANC’s terms.

The remarks come as political parties negotiate possible coalition arrangements to govern municipalities following the elections,