EFF leader Julius Malema cast his ballot at Mponegele Lower Primary School in Seshego, Limpopo, on election day, joined by his wife Mantoa Matlala and party member Godrich Gardee. Despite a long queue, Malema remained patient and engaged with excited voters, taking photos and shaking hands.

Malema spoke about the significance of the elections, stating that it’s a turning point for the country and an opportunity for change. “It’s a point where our country will make serious inroads… where a voter will decide which direction we are going as a country. We should be able to see some changes from this election,” he said.

He also addressed the recent violence in Juju Valley, distancing the EFF from the incident and claiming that the party ran a “clean campaign”. “We must not have political parties that behave like crybabies,” he added.

Meanwhile, attempted murder-accused Jossey Buthane, who recently defected from the EFF to the ANC, was also present at the voting station, causing tension. Buthane claimed that he had not yet visited Juju Valley but planned to do so, and accused some EFF members of campaigning on the school’s grounds, against IEC protocol.