Malema Blasts Zuma Over Morocco Visit: “A Complete Sellout”

Former president Jacob Zuma has found himself in hot water again, and this time the fire’s coming from Julius Malema.

Speaking outside the East London Magistrate’s Court on Monday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader tore into Zuma over his recent visit to Morocco, calling it a “sellout” move that undermines South Africa’s historical support for Western Sahara’s independence.

A Visit that Crossed the Line

Zuma, now the face of the newly formed MK Party, met with Moroccan officials and voiced support for the kingdom’s sovereignty over Western Sahara — a move that goes directly against decades of ANC foreign policy. The ruling party has long stood in solidarity with the Sahrawi people, who continue to fight for self-determination in the disputed territory.

Malema didn’t mince his words.
“That was a complete sellout position,” he said. “No one is questioning Zuma’s right to travel. What we are questioning is the position he took and what his party represents in relation to Morocco.”

South Africa’s Stance on Western Sahara

To understand why Zuma’s trip is so contentious, it’s important to know the backstory. Western Sahara, a region in North Africa, has been the subject of a long-running dispute between the Sahrawi independence movement and Morocco, which claims sovereignty over the land. South Africa, particularly under the ANC, has historically supported the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and its liberation struggle.

So when a former president — one who came from a liberation movement himself — suddenly appears to back Morocco’s claim, it’s seen as a major political betrayal.

ANC Hits Back, Calls for Action

The ANC didn’t hold back either. Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu called Zuma’s visit “reckless and provocative,” accusing him of undermining the values of justice and human dignity that South Africa’s democracy is built on.

What sparked even more outrage was the use of the South African flag during Zuma’s meeting in Morocco. The ANC said it amounted to foreign interference and urged the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to demand an official explanation and lodge a formal protest.

“The inclusion of our national symbols in partisan activities hosted by foreign powers is not only misleading,” Bhengu warned, “but also part of a broader agenda of foreign interference.”

MK Party: “We don’t owe anyone answers”

The MK Party, however, has dismissed the backlash. Its head of the presidency, Magasela Mzobe, responded defiantly stating:
“MK Party is not a subcommittee of the ANC. The sooner you comprehend that, the better.”

He added that Zuma and MK officials would soon address the public regarding the trip, but made it clear they were not accountable to the ANC, the DA, or any other political party.

Social media reaction: divided and fiery

Zuma’s Morocco visit has sparked heated debate online. Supporters of the former president say he’s free to take any international stance he chooses, while critics accuse him of playing dangerous geopolitical games that could compromise South Africa’s diplomatic credibility.

One user posted, “Zuma has completely lost the plot. Selling out Western Sahara is like spitting on our own liberation history.”
Another wrote, “The ANC’s outrage is performative. They’re just angry Zuma beat them to the international stage.”

Malema Stands Firm for Western Sahara

As for Malema, he reaffirmed the EFF’s solidarity with the Sahrawi people, insisting that their freedom must be achieved in their lifetime.

“We are clear,” he said, “we are for the people of Western Sahara.”

With general elections now behind us and the political landscape more fractured than ever, Zuma’s visit has reignited old tensions — and perhaps opened a new chapter in the battle over South Africa’s foreign policy identity.

Source:Times Live

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