Julius Malema Says Phala Phala Theft Must Not Be Forgotten, SA Says: “VBS Must Be Added to the List”
- Julius Malema is unhappy with how the Phala Phala matter was handled and wants something to be done
- The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader believes that the case is further proof of police corruption
- South Africans shared their thoughts on Malema's comments and reminded him of his own skeletons
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
WESTERN CAPE – Julius Malema has vowed not to let the Phala Phala saga just be forgotten.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader made the promise while addressing supporters at the party’s 12th anniversary in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. The Red Berets held its anniversary celebrations at the Khayelitsha Rugby Stadium on Saturday, 26 July 2025.
Turning his attention to the theft from the president’s farm in Limpopo in 2020, Malema said the matter would be brought up in Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating police corruption, adding that it was another example of police cover-ups.
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What did Malema say?
In addressing the issue, Malema stated that the theft of US dollars from the president’s farm was evidence of corruption within the force and required investigation. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to pursue criminal charges against the president, while the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) report into the robbery was marked as top secret.
With no one yet convicted of any wrongdoing in the 2020 crime, Malema maintained that the matter was not yet done and dusted.
“That Phala Phala issue is not dead. We are going to find a way of bringing it into this ad hoc committee, because even in that Phala Phala, there was police corruption that happened,” he stated.
The EFF is not the only party pushing hard for answers. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has fought for IPID’s report to be made public, as has ActionSA.
Source: Getty Images
What you need to know about the Phala Phala case
- The NPA announced that it would not prosecute anyone related to the Phala Phala scandal.
- The NPA encouraged parties to make use of the review process if they were unhappy with the decision.
- President Ramaphosa was grilled in Parliament in October 2024 about the Phala Phala saga, but he maintained his innocence.
- Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed that IPID’s report into Phala Phala was marked as top secret.
- The trial into the burglary at Phala Phala Game Farm was postponed until September 2025.
- ActionSA demanded transparency regarding Phala Phala and wanted access to IPID’s report.
- The MK Party wanted the report to be made public, but citizens wanted all the focus on Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s allegations first.
How did South Africans react?
While some social media users agreed with Malema, many others argued that the VBS Mutual Bank saga also needs to be investigated.
Lucky L. Mthombeni said:
“VBS is the only crime or corruption that Malema doesn't like to address. I wonder why.”
Emmanuel Manu Mafokwane stated:
“VBS should be added to the list.”
Griffin Magalasi Botha II added:
“Phala Phala was enough reason for a normal president to resign. It’s a true reflection of what Mkhwanazi was talking about. The rot runs too deep. Mchunu was just running errands for big guys.”
Americo Pinheiro stated:
“I agree 100%. Phala Phala and VBS Bank need proper investigation and action.”
Afri Can claimed:
“It's so sad. He says nothing about VBS because he benefited from it, but the Phala Phala farm saga gives him sleepless nights because he didn’t get a penny from it.
IPID blames technical issues for Phala Phala report delay
Briefly News reported that IPID blamed an email issue in June 2025 as the reason why it did not release the Phala Phala report.
Senzo Mchunu noted that the report was marked as top secret by IPID, but ActionSA requested to have it made public.
South Africans were left in disbelief at the excuse conjured up by IPID as to why it couldn't respond to ActionSA's request.
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Source: Briefly News
