African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Collen Malatji has launched a blistering attack on the Democratic Alliance (DA), describing the party as “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.
His comments come amid internal turmoil within the DA, following reports that party leader John Steenhuisen has withdrawn from the DA’s leadership race ahead of its national elective congress in April.
Responding to questions about Steenhuisen’s withdrawal, Malatji said he was not concerned with internal DA matters but claimed the party was being exposed now that it holds positions of state power.
“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,” Malatji said.
He accused DA leaders of hypocrisy, alleging that while the party has long accused the ANC of corruption, it is now facing similar accusations internally.
“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,” he said.
“The DA is a festival of corrupt males, white males led by their grandmother Helen Zille.”
Zille currently serves as the DA’s federal council chairperson.
DA Internal Disputes and Resignations
Malatji’s remarks follow the resignation of former DA minister Dr Dion George, who stepped down as the party’s federal finance chairperson after a dispute with Steenhuisen.
George, who previously served as Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries in the Government of National Unity (GNU), claimed he was forced out after being removed from Cabinet in November 2025.
He alleged that the DA had been “captured” by ANC-linked and criminal interests, and called for an independent investigation into the party’s 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 which George has denied.
Criticism of DA’s Role in GNU
Malatji also criticised the DA’s participation in the Government of National Unity, saying it has revealed what he described as the party’s true character.
“It was good for the DA to be in the Government of National Unity so that South Africa can expose them, because they are fighting among themselves,” he said.
He further accused the DA of corruption, environmental mismanagement and selling public land.
“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,” Malatji claimed.
Accusations of Racism and Attacks on IFP
The ANCYL leader also labelled the DA a racist party, alleging it exists to protect apartheid-era interests.
“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,” he said.
Malatji extended his criticism to the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), accusing it of corruption and misconduct in KwaZulu-Natal, which is currently governed by a coalition led by the IFP with support from the ANC, DA and National Freedom Party (NFP).
KwaZulu-Natal was previously governed by the ANC before the emergence of the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), which secured 45.33% of the vote in the 2024 elections.
ANC Defends Its Leadership Role
Despite acknowledging the ANC’s challenges, Malatji insisted the party remains central to governing South Africa.
“It’s only the ANC that can resolve the problems of South Africa. With all our mistakes, we’ll still put South Africa first,” he said.
He added that President Cyril Ramaphosa should act against officials who fail to implement ANC resolutions.
DA Responds
IOL News approached DA national spokesperson Jan de Villiers for comment, but he declined.
“No comment,” he said.
Inquiries sent to IFP national communications officer Fanele Mhlogo were not answered before publication.
Meanwhile, Steenhuisen has officially confirmed his withdrawal from the DA leadership contest but said he will remain Minister of Agriculture.
