By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Polokwane — Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has ignited controversy after commenting on the recent appointment of Zimbabwean national Kennedy Chihota as Director of Water and Sanitation at the Polokwane Municipality.
Speaking at the Siyabonga Rally in Seshego on 16 August 2025, Malema said he had no objection to foreigners working, but insisted such jobs should be offered in their home countries.
“We are not saying Zimbabweans should not be given jobs, but they must get jobs from their own municipalities in Harare,” he said, adding that South Africans must be prioritised amid a national unemployment rate above 32%.
The remarks quickly sparked mixed reactions online. Some accused Malema of stoking xenophobic sentiment, while others defended him, saying he was merely advocating for South African citizens in a struggling job market.
Chihota’s appointment, aimed at strengthening municipal service delivery, has now become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over foreign nationals and employment opportunities in South Africa.