Julius Malema Wins Interim Court Order Against Ngizwe Mchunu Over Defamation Claims

The Gauteng High Court has granted an interim order in favour of Julius Malema following his urgent court application against cultural activist and former radio presenter Ngizwe Mchunu.

The matter stems from comments allegedly made by Mchunu during separate media interviews in Pretoria on 28 April and in Johannesburg on 30 April.

Julius Malema Seeks Court Protection Over Defamation Claims

Court papers quoted Mchunu making several allegations against Malema, including claims linked to Nigerian drug dealers and illegal foreigners.

Mchunu was quoted as saying: “Julius Malema…he recently got 60 million from the Nigerian drug dealers, that’s why he is highly protected and is also willing to lose everything that he has, politically, in order to protect Nigerians and other illegal immigrants.

“He is eating money of illegal foreigners, he is getting 60 million from illegal foreigners, this Julius Malema. I do not care what he does; he is a dead snake, his time is over. Julius Malema, you are a dog; you sold the people of South Africa to illegal foreigners. I am not scared of you, my boy…”

Malema approached the court urgently and demanded that Mchunu retract the remarks and issue an apology. The application also included a R1 million settlement claim.

Court Orders Ngizwe Mchunu To Stop Alleged Defamatory Statements

On Tuesday, the court ruled that Mchunu must not publish or encourage the publication of any further defamatory comments against Malema.

According to the interim order, Mchunu is prohibited from repeating allegations similar to those contained in the disputed statements, whether directly or indirectly.

The court also ordered Mchunu to cover the legal costs related to part A of the application, including the costs of two counsel where applicable, on an attorney-and-client scale.

EFF Welcomes Julius Malema Court Victory

Mchunu has been instructed to appear on 19 May 2026 to provide reasons why the interim order should not be made final. The court further directed that part B of the matter, which relates to the settlement claim, proceed either to trial or oral evidence on a date to be arranged with the court registrar.

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The Economic Freedom Fighters welcomed the ruling and said it reinforced the principle that misinformation and defamatory claims should not be accepted as political commentary.

In court, Malema’s legal team argued that the remarks were false, malicious, and politically motivated, claiming they were intended to depict him as dishonest and criminal.

“The court has now vindicated this position through an urgent order restraining Mchunu from continuing this campaign of defamation,” the EFF said.

“President Malema welcomes the ruling as an important victory not merely for himself personally, but for the principle that truth must prevail over propaganda and mob disinformation. The courts have sent a clear message that freedom of expression does not include the freedom to defame others with baseless criminal allegations.”