“YOU SHOULD HAVE ARRESTED THEM!” Malema Challenges Ramaphosa in Fiery Parliament Showdown!

LEADERS MANDATE | REGIONAL POLITICS

“YOU SHOULD HAVE LOCKED THEM UP!” Julius Malema Grills President Cyril Ramaphosa Over Anti-Foreigner Protests

By: Mbalenhle Butale  
  Focus: Parliamentary Oversight, Diplomatic Relations & State Security  
  Published: August 25, 2026

Executive Summary: Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema fiercely confronted President Cyril Ramaphosa during a National Assembly Q&A session. Malema accused the state of complicity in the recent wave of anti-foreigner violence across South Africa, demanding to know why known protest leaders were entertained by the Presidency instead of being arrested. Ramaphosa hit back, maintaining that police investigations are active and arrests have been made.

The National Assembly was the stage for a fiery political showdown on Tuesday as Julius Malema pressed President Cyril Ramaphosa on the South African government’s handling of the escalating anti-foreigner protests.

UNDER FIRE: Julius Malema grilled President Cyril Ramaphosa in Parliament over the government's response to anti-foreigner protests and violence.

Malema did not mince words, alleging that South African Police Service (SAPS) officers were repeatedly present at scenes of violence without intervening. This inaction, he argued, creates a dangerous illusion that the xenophobic attacks are state-sanctioned, threatening South Africa's diplomatic standing on the continent.

Showdown Protest Leaders Ramaphosa's Defense Fallouts

Complicity and Diplomatic Fallout

Malema used his time on the parliamentary floor to accuse the Ramaphosa administration of turning a blind eye to targeted violence against foreign nationals.

Malema directly challenged the narrative that law enforcement is struggling to identify the perpetrators. "We know who the perpetrators are," he told the House, questioning why mass arrests have not followed the outbreaks of violence.

Pan-African Repercussions The EFF leader warned that the sight of police officers standing idly by during attacks has serious geopolitical consequences. "This hardens the attitude of our sister nations on the continent," Malema stated, stressing that the failure to act decisively damages South Africa's diplomatic integrity and leadership role in Africa.

The Pre-Protest Meetings

The debate intensified when Malema brought up the President's personal engagements with individuals identified as key instigators of the unrest.

Malema raised the controversial issue of two individuals widely identified as leaders of the anti-foreigner movement: Nkosikhona Phakelumthakathi Ndabandba and Ngiazwe Mchunu. Both men reportedly met with President Ramaphosa ahead of the major 30 June protests.

"You Should Have Locked Them Up" Rather than engaging in dialogue, Malema argued that the President should have used the state apparatus to neutralize the threat. "You should have locked them up when they came to meet you," Malema charged, criticizing what he views as a soft approach to domestic terrorism.

UNDER FIRE: President Cyril Ramaphosa faced tough questions from the EFF leadership regarding the state's perceived inaction against individuals inciting violence against African foreign nationals.

The President's Rebuttal

President Ramaphosa pushed back against the EFF's claims, asserting that the wheels of justice are turning, albeit behind the scenes.

Ramaphosa informed the National Assembly that he had been comprehensively briefed by police leadership. He denied that the state was turning a blind eye.

Investigations are Active "We are obviously concerned about the actions that have been taken against many Africans in our country," Ramaphosa said. He confirmed that investigations are actively ongoing and that a number of individuals have already been arrested in connection with the targeted violence.

POLITICAL ANALYSIS & PUBLIC REACTION

The Hypocrisy Debate and the Phala Phala Shadow

While Malema positioned himself as the defender of law, order, and Pan-African unity, his calls for arbitrary arrests were quickly met with public skepticism.

South African social media erupted in debate following the parliamentary clash. Critics questioned the legal basis of Malema's demands, with user @SandileKaMsibi noting: "What would the charge be? Ramaphosa also knows what happens when the state recklessly arrests protesters." Others pointed out the irony of the EFF leader demanding jail time for others; as @Yayobeats1 commented, "He’s such an advocate for locking people up when he himself is fighting to not be locked up after being found guilty."

This parliamentary grill session cannot be viewed in isolation. It forms part of a broader, ongoing political war of attrition between Malema and Ramaphosa. Just months prior, in May 2026, Malema boldly claimed that Ramaphosa would eventually face jail time over the 2022 Phala Phala scandal.

The Leaders Mandate Verdict: Malema’s questioning highlights a genuine crisis in South Africa's management of domestic unrest and diplomatic relations. However, his demand for summary arrests bypassing judicial process reveals the deeply populist and combative nature of South African opposition politics as the nation navigates these volatile social fractures.

Published by Leaders Mandate | www.leaders.co.zw