Malatji slams DA as ‘festival of corrupt white males’ led by their grandmother Zille
ANC Youth League President Collen Malatji has accused DA members of being involved in corrupt activities.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Collen Malatji has launched a blistering attack on the Democratic Alliance (DA), calling the party “a festival of corrupt males, white males led by their grandmother Helen Zille”.
Malatji made the remarks during a media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on February 3, following the outcomes of the ANCYL’s national executive committee meeting.
The youth leader accused the DA of corruption, racism, and protecting apartheid-era interests, following reports that DA leader John Steenhuisen would withdraw from the party’s leadership race ahead of its national elective congress in April.
Asked about Steenhuisen’s withdrawal, Malatji said, “I will not know, I'm not a member of the DA, I'm not aware. But what I can inform you is that the DA is trying to learn what happens when they take state power.”
“They are accusing each other of corruption. We thought they were saying the ANC is corrupt, but they are better? Every day, they are fighting for tenders. The DA is a festival of corrupt males, white males led by their grandmother Helen Zille,” he added.
Zille is the party's federal council chairperson.
Malatji’s comments come after former DA minister and member Dr Dion George resigned from the party following a dispute with Steenhuisen.
George, who stepped down as the DA’s federal finance chairperson, said he was forced out after being removed from Cabinet in November 2025.
He previously served as Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
He claimed the party had been “captured” by the ANC and criminal interests, and called for an independent investigation into DA credit card usage.
Zille, however, previously said George resigned before responding to allegations of salary abuse, political interference, and bringing the party into disrepute - claims George denies.
Malatji also criticised the DA’s involvement in the Government of National Unity (GNU), saying it has exposed the party’s true character.
“It gives a tough way I can see who they are, because they used to lie and say that, I think it was good to be in the Government National Unity (GNU) to the DA, so that South Africa can expose them, because they are fighting in the DA.”
The vocal youth league leader, also accused the blue party of corruption and land mismanagement.
“If they are not fighting for credit cards or food, they are fighting for corruption of the environment. They are selling land everywhere, public works every day, they are selling land to white people every day.
“Now they are fighting to regain the land for our people, they are regressing every day, and I was saying that the president must watch them closely, must act on them, but it's good that the president (Cyril Ramaphosa) appointed them, so that the people of South Africa can see who the DA really is,” he added.
Malatji also labelled the DA a racist party.
“The DA is a racist political party that represents the agenda of protecting the case of apartheid and is not for democracy for the people of South Africa.
“That’s why when they are in government, they do exactly what they are mandated to do, they are not doing anything different, it is their job as the DA to do that, it’s like the IFP in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Malatji claimed that the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu-Natal, which he alleged has engaged in corruption and misconduct.
KZN is currently governed by a coalition led by the IFP, with support from the ANC, DA and National Freedom Party (NFP), following the 2024 elections.
The province was previously under ANC leadership before the emergence of the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), which won 45.33% of the vote.
“The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal, since they have been in office, they have been doing what we know them for doing, collapsing departments, being corrupt, selling sex for jobs, that is the IFP.
“Now, this political party (referring to the DA) must know it’s only the ANC that can resolve the problem of South Africa. Now, without the ANC, no one can do it; with all our mistakes, we’ll still put South Africa first.”
According to him, the ANC has the power to hold its officials accountable.
This is despite the party and its members often being called the most corrupt in the country.
“There is no one who can do anything outside of what the ANC is doing, that’s why we are re-emphasising those who are in government, not implementing resolutions of the ANC.
“The president must act on them, because we don’t have people who are freelancing the ANC government, we want people who are going to implement resolutions of the African National Congress,” Malatji added.
IOL News reached out to DA national spokesperson Jan de Villiers for comment, but he declined to weigh in on the matter.
“No comment,” he said.
Inquiries were sent to IFP national communications officer Fanele Mhlogo on Tuesday. Despite promising to respond, no comment was received before the article was published.
Meanwhile, Steenhuisen has officially withdrawn from the party’s leadership contest ahead of its federal congress in April. He made the announcement during media briefing on Wednesday.
He said he will remain the Minister of Agriculture.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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