The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has issued a formal demand to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, requiring him to retract defamatory remarks made during an ANC media briefing.

The party's lawyers accused Mbalula of falsely alleging that the EFF supported unlawful anti-immigration protests, which they claim damaged the party's reputation.The letter, dated July 3, gives Mbalula 48 hours to issue a public video apology, retract statements on social media, and publish a press statement.Failure to comply could result in legal action, including damages and punitive costs.The EFF argues Mbalula's comments portrayed the party as Afrophobic and hypocritical, contradicting its stance on African unity.

Mbalula rejected the allegations, calling them untrue and politically motivated, while the EFF insists the remarks were made to gain leverage ahead of the November local government elections.

The case highlights escalating tensions between the ANC and EFF, with social media amplifying the reputational harm caused by the disputed statements.