Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has passionately condemned attacks on African migrants in South Africa, emphatically stating that violence against fellow Africans "can never be justified." He labeled ongoing anti-illegal immigration marches as "Afrophobia," asserting that poor Africans are not the adversaries, but rather shared victims of the same systemic economic hardship, rampant unemployment, and exploitation stemming from profound inequality across the continent.

Malema firmly rejected the notion that poor African migrants from countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, or Somalia are responsible for South Africa’s severe unemployment crisis or its struggling public services. He argued that these economic and social failures are deeply rooted in the broader structures of inequality rather than being caused by the presence of foreign nationals.

These crucial statements were made during his address at the South African Communist Party (SACP) Conference of the Left in Boksburg. This three-day gathering was convened with the stated aim of bolstering coordination, unity in action, political education, and the organized struggle among various leftist and working-class groups. Malema characterized the conference as occurring at a pivotal juncture, marked by widespread economic instability, pervasive political uncertainty, and what he described as the unmistakable collapse of global capitalism.

During his address, Malema articulated a scathing criticism of global capitalism, highlighting its inherent contradictions and failings. He observed that global capitalism no longer attempts to morally justify its existence, having instead "abandoned justice" to overtly promote markets, aggressive competition, and the perpetuation of permanent inequality. He contended that such economic systems fundamentally reduce human beings to mere tools for profit, thereby actively fueling societal ills such as racism, xenophobia, deepening inequality, and irreversible environmental destruction. He further pointed out the paradox where many employed workers remain ensnared in cycles of debt, while a vast number of young people, despite completing their education, find themselves unable to secure meaningful employment.

Shifting focus to South Africa's internal challenges, Malema asserted that while political apartheid may have officially concluded, a pervasive "economic apartheid" continues to persist. He underscored that this economic segregation is manifested through enduring unequal land ownership, the concentrated power of financial institutions, and the sustained control of key economic sectors by the white minority, all of which systematically exclude the majority of the population. He cited stark unemployment figures as irrefutable evidence: official unemployment exceeding 32%, expanded unemployment surpassing 43%, and youth unemployment tragically soaring above 60%. Malema meticulously linked the alarming rise in crime, gender-based violence, and widespread drug abuse directly to these prevailing conditions of economic hardship, stating that "When people cannot participate meaningfully in the economy, society begins to break down." He strongly condemned narratives that erroneously blame migrants for these complex societal problems, branding such claims as both misleading and inherently dangerous.

Reinforcing his stance, Malema unequivocally rejected claims that foreign nationals are the architects of South Africa’s profound economic woes. He challenged these accusations by stating, "Migrants did not privatise state capacity. They did not concentrate land ownership. Migrants did not design an economy that fails to absorb labour." Instead, he passionately argued that Africa's ultimate future is inextricably linked to fostering genuine unity, steadfast solidarity, and the dismantling of colonial-era borders that continue to arbitrarily fragment and divide African people. While his bold Pan-African vision garnered praise from supporters, critics voiced concerns that an approach advocating for open borders could potentially exacerbate existing pressures on already strained national economies and overburdened public services.