Julius Malema Says Zimbabweans Must Seek Employment in Their Own Country, SA Questions His Stance
- Julius Malema supported Zimbabweans having employment at municipalities, as long as it was in their own country
- Malema made the comments after Zimbabwean national, Kennedy Chihota, was appointed by the Polokwane Municipality
- South Africans recalled the Economic Freedom Fighters leader's previous comments about foreigners in the country
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.
LIMPOPO – Julius Malema doesn’t have an issue with Zimbabweans getting jobs at municipalities, as long as it is in Harare.
The Economic Freedom Fighters leader urged Zimbabweans to pursue job opportunities in their own country instead of seeking employment and competing with South Africans for work.
Malema made the comments on 16 August 2025 in response to the Polokwane Municipality appointing Zimbabwean national, Kennedy Chihota, as Director of Water and Sanitation.
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What did Malema say?
Addressing members at the Siyabonga Rally in Seshego, Polokwane, Malema called for South Africans to be given first preference in job opportunities.
Malema noted the unemployment crisis in the country, which currently sits at over 32% nationally, saying that Chihota’s appointment was an example of how South Africans were being overlooked for jobs.
“We are not saying Zimbabweans should not be given jobs, but they must get jobs from their own municipalities in Harare,” he said.
He reiterated that the Zimbabwean nationals should have access to employment, as long as it was in their own country.
Municipal mayor defends appointment of Chihota
Malema’s comments come as the municipality faces criticism over its appointment of Chihota.
Mayor John Mpe defended the appointment, stating that Chihota was a professionally registered engineer holding a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering.
Mpe again justified the appointment of Chihota, noting his experience and his calibre of leadership. He explained that Chihota worked for other municipalities in similar posts, and knew what he was doing.
Source: Getty Images
How did South Africans react to Malema’s comments?
Social media users were confused by Malema’s statement, with some noting that the party previously pushed for an open border policy. Others suggested that maybe Floyd Shivambu was responsible for that, and now Malema was coming to his senses.
@ChrisExcel102 asked:
“What if it was Floyd he was misleading Malema? Why did he start making sense now?”
@Ndi_Muvenda_ stated:
“Floyd was misleading the CiC.”
@V_Ketshabile added:
“He's coming around. Did he just say South Africans first?”
@Finnthehuman80 asked:
“So, what happened to open borders and finding creative ways to get into the country? Is he flip-flopping again?”
@Zani_Baccaria asked:
“Hebana, what did they do to Malema to change his mind?”
@TheGeopol said:
“Julius Malema owes us patriots an apology. He has now come to his senses about putting South Africans first. The son of the soil returns home. After 10 years of being anti-SA and losing votes, Malema has now matured. The patriot is back. He blocked me, so thank him for me, patriots.”
@TboozeSA added:
“Desperate times come with desperate measures.”
@nicholasp2105 suggested:
“It was Floyd and Ndlozi who wanted open borders.”
@tsitso09 asked:
“Is this Juju’s reincarnation? People have been complaining about this for years. He arrogantly dismissed them.”
@Lehutso_Ml stated:
“Ever since Floyd left him, he's going in the right direction😳.”
Malema's previous comments about Zimbabweans
Briefly News previously reported that Malema has shown sympathy towards Zimbabwean nationals.
In January 2022, he said that restaurant owners must not shy away from hiring foreign nationals, particularly Zimbabweans.
In September 2022, he said that the struggles of Zimbabweans were South Africans' struggles as well.
He also offered to bus Zimbabwean nationals home so they could vote in elections in July 2023.
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Source: Briefly News
