A new book titled “Malema: Money. Power. Patronage.” is set to hit shelves on September 19, and it promises to shake South Africa’s political space. Written by investigative journalists Micah Reddy and Pauli van Wyk, the book dives deep into the hidden financial world of Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The authors stress that it’s not a biography but a forensic investigation into how Malema allegedly built a private empire while staying steps ahead of the law.
According to the writers, the story goes beyond one man. It exposes how money flows through South African politics and how leaders who claim to fight for the poor often tap into real public anger about inequality for their own benefit. The book revisits old scandals in Limpopo, showing how Malema and his allies allegedly twisted local systems for gain, and it digs into the looting of VBS Bank, linking funds back to Malema and his deputy Floyd Shivambu.
Reddy and Van Wyk each came from separate investigations—Reddy on corruption in Johannesburg and Tshwane, Van Wyk on the VBS Bank collapse and SARS controversies. As their work overlapped, fresh sources came forward, painting a sharper, wider picture of Malema’s financial dealings. But their journey was not smooth. Some court records from Malema’s 2012 tax battles were sealed in Pretoria High Court, in a section usually reserved for sensitive cases like child abuse. They eventually hired a lawyer to access those files.
The political pushback was equally fierce. Malema banned them from EFF press briefings, branded Van Wyk “Satan” and a “witch,” and supporters issued threats. Lawsuits were threatened by both Malema and Shivambu, but none ever went to court. Despite this, the book includes a detailed cover story that lays bare the hidden machinery of money and power in Malema’s political world.
Speaking to Independent Media Lifestyle, Van Wyk described Malema as “possibly South Africa’s most interesting and talented politician,” but warned that no other book has peeled back the layers of his financial dealings this way. She pointed to how EFF’s rent-seeking in metro councils was tolerated by other parties, including Herman Mashaba’s ActionSA, in exchange for political alliances. This, she warned, shows how unchecked impunity can weaken South Africa’s democracy.
At its core, “Malema: Money. Power. Patronage.” is more than an exposé—it’s a warning. The authors say it demonstrates how politicians weaponise inequality for personal gain, and why citizens must stay alert to hold leaders accountable.
