EFF leader Julius Malema and his wife, Mantwa Matlala, have threatened to lay criminal charges against social media blogger Musa Khawula.
They also plan to sue him for R1 million.
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This is if Khawula does not publicly apologise and retract allegations that their marriage is collapsing because of Malema’s adulterous affairs.
Malema and Matlala made threats in a letter of demand sent to Khawula by the couple’s lawyers, England Slabbert Attorneys Inc, on Thursday, 26 February.
“Institute urgent High Court proceedings for the appropriate relief against you, including interdictory proceedings, as well as the additional relief of a monetary damages claim (including a claim for solatium) in the amount of R1 000 000 (One million rand)”
“Report your conduct to the South African Police Services and accordingly lay criminal charges of crimen injuria,” read the papers.
The lawyers said Khawula posted on his X account on or about 25 February 2026, alleging that Malema and his wife had separated because she couldn’t tolerate the firebrand politician’s cavalier association with women.
He later reposted, alleging, without evidence, that Malema, a Member of Parliament, sent his people to bribe him so he could not reveal their separation.
The lawyers said the allegations have exposed Malema and his wife to national ridicule and spectacle.
“In addition, it subjects their minor children and major children to emotional harm and public scrutiny.”
“Furthermore, these publications are causing reputational injury to our clients, personally, politically and professionally, given our clients’ standing in society,” said the lawyers.
The lawyers further stated that harm caused to Malema and Matlala was worsened by the fact that he presented and published these claims as statements of fact, without any verification.
“The first publication expressly conveys that our clients’ marriage has ended, divorce proceedings have been instituted, and the divorce is caused by Mr Malema’s repeated infidelity. The marriage is stressful due to the conduct. These statements are presented as facts.”
They said the allegations would be understood by a reasonable person to mean that Malema is an adulterer, morally unfaithful to his wife, dishonest, has betrayed his spouse, lacks integrity, and cannot be trusted.
They further said Khawula publicly humiliated Matlala by claiming her marriage had collapsed and that she was subjected to repeated infidelity.
The lawyers said it is untrue that Malema and Matlala’s union was disintegrating.
“Our clients remain married, and no divorce proceedings have taken place. These false allegations of adultery and marital misconduct are prima facie defamatory, as they attack the integrity, dignity, privacy, and family reputation of our clients.
“Moreso, in the case of a public political leader such as Mr Malema, such allegations also undermine public confidence and his credibility.”
“The publication has exposed our clients to ridicule, speculation, humiliation and reputational harm on a mass scale,” they said.
Bribery allegations also denied
They also explained that Musa’s second claim that Malema tried to grease his palm to walk away from the story was also false.
“The reasonable reader would understand this to mean that Mr Malema attempted to bribe you, he engaged in corrupt or improper financial conduct, he abuses his position or influence to silence his critics. Mr Malema has never attempted to pay you, whether directly or indirectly.”
“Allegations of bribery, corruption, abuse of influence, and financial impropriety are inherently defamatory and directly attack Mr Malema’s fitness for public office.”
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The lawyers said if Musa does not apologise and retract his allegations, Malema and Matlala will seek legal recourse.
Malema ignored our phone calls and repeated requests for comment. Musa hung up the phone when pressed for comment.
