Julius Malema and wife spark divorce
Julius Malema and his spouse, Mantwa Matlala, are facing rumors of separation.
Reports indicate that Matlala has moved out of their house and relocated to an apartment in Bryanston, situated to the north of Johannesburg.
Speculation regarding the couple’s relationship status began in late 2024 after social media users observed that Malema had deleted images of his wife from his Instagram profile.
Neither Malema nor Matlala has addressed these rumors in public, and no official statement regarding their relationship status has been released.
Currently, a source close to the couple has suggested that they have been living apart for a considerable period.
The source reported that Mantwa left their shared residence fairly quietly last year.
“She left their home last year, 2025,” the insider stated.
Furthermore, the source indicated that there have been ongoing tensions between the couple, although they are managing their issues privately.
“Things have been rocky for some time, but they are keeping things very private.”
In spite of the separation rumors, it seems that the couple still presents a united front at certain public events, especially given Malema’s ongoing legal troubles.
Due to Malema’s current court case, the couple is expected to attend specific events together.
“They do not want this to be the centre of attention.”
Malema was recently present at the East London Magistrate’s Court on January 23, 2026, for pre-sentencing proceedings after his conviction in October 2025 on five charges, which include unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm.
The charges are linked to an incident that occurred in 2018 during an EFF rally at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, where he was found guilty of discharging a firearm in public.
During the pre-sentencing, social worker Jessie Thompson testified that no injuries arose from the incident and emphasized that the firearm was not obtained with the intent to commit further crimes or incite violence.
She also spoke about the potential consequences of a custodial sentence on Malema’s family and supporters, noting that he is a father of three, aged 19, 9, and 7.
