‘You’ll never leave the EFF and be normal’ - Malema tears into Ndlozi over election boycott

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema addresses the media at the National Results Operations Centre at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

EFF leader Julius Malema has launched an attack on former party member Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, declaring that “you’ll never leave the EFF and be normal” after the academic revealed that he had not voted in the 2026 local government elections (LGE).

Malema delivered the sharp rebuke while reflecting on the EFF’s electoral performance at the National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on Saturday.

Ndlozi made the admission during an appearance on SABC1’s Daily Thetha, where he explained that his decision not to vote stemmed from dissatisfaction with citizens’ conduct.

“You’ll never leave the EFF and sound normal. How do you not vote and you think it's normal, your exaggerated self-importance?” Malema said.

He also questioned how Ndlozi could have raised the possibility of abstaining from voting with former president Thabo Mbeki without receiving a response challenging his position.

“How do you even tell Thabo Mbeki that you are thinking of not voting and Mbeki does not respond to you and clarifying that you are saying the most stupid thing ever?” he added.

Turning to the EFF’s performance at the polls, Malema acknowledged the party’s electoral setback but insisted it would not derail its political ambitions.

He said the results would help define the party’s next chapter, adding that the organisation would continue to push forward and strengthen its political footprint.

Malema also took aim at former EFF member and now Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu, who had criticised the EFF’s election spending.

Shivambu questioned the party’s decision to spend millions on music festivals and artists during the campaign, arguing that the investment failed to translate into support from voters.

Malema dismissed the criticism, insisting the EFF was entitled to decide how its money was spent.

“It's our millions. Even if we want to spend our millions on BBL, we'll do it. What's the problem? It's our money,” he said.

Voting is nearing completion with counting at 98%.