EFF leader Julius Malema and wife Mantwa Matlala
Julius Malema and his wife, Mantwa Matlala have sparked separation rumors.
Matlala allegedly moved out of their marital home and into an apartment in Bryanston, north of Johannesburg.
Whispers of a possible separation first gained traction in late 2024 when social media users noticed that the EFF leader had removed photos of his wife from his Instagram account.
At the time, neither Malema nor Matlala addressed the rumours publicly, and no official confirmation of a split was made.
Now, a source close to the couple claims the pair have been living separately for some time.
According to the insider, Mantwa quietly left their shared home last year.
“She left their home last year, 2025,” the mole revealed.
The source added that tensions between the two had been ongoing but are being handled away from the public eye.
“Things have been rocky for some time, but they are keeping things very private.”
Despite the alleged separation, the couple is said to be maintaining a united front at select public events, particularly in light of Malema’s ongoing legal challenges.
However, due to Malema’s current court case, they will “make public appearances to certain gatherings as a couple.”
“They do not want this to be the centre of attention.”
Malema recently appeared at the East London Magistrate’s Court on January 23, 2026, for pre-sentencing proceedings after being convicted in October 2025 on five charges, including unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm.
The charges stem from a 2018 incident at an EFF rally at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, where he was found guilty of firing a weapon in public.
During the pre-sentencing phase, social worker Jessie Thompson testified that no one was injured during the incident and noted that the firearm was not obtained with the intention of committing further crimes or fuelling violence.
She also highlighted the potential impact a custodial sentence could have on Malema’s family and supporters, describing him as a father of three aged 19, 9 and 7.