The Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema in a defamation case against social media personality Musa Khawula, ordering that claims made about Malema and his wife be retracted.

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, confirms that statements published by Khawula were found to be defamatory, according to multiple reports from SABC News, TimesLIVE and Eyewitness News.

The court has ordered Khawula to remove the posts and issue a retraction. Additional legal consequences, including whether damages will be paid, have not been confirmed.

The case centres on allegations made online about Malema and his wife. The court found these claims to be unlawful, reinforcing growing scrutiny around social media content and defamation in South Africa.

This judgment adds to increasing legal action against online personalities accused of spreading unverified or harmful claims, particularly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

An official response from Khawula following the ruling has not been confirmed.

For Malema, the ruling is a significant legal victory, strengthening his position against what he has previously described as targeted online attacks.

For readers in the Eastern Cape, the case highlights the legal risks of sharing or amplifying unverified claims on social media. Even posts made online can lead to serious court action, including orders to retract statements or pay damages.

The outcome also signals that courts are taking a firmer stance on digital defamation, especially where reputational harm is involved.

What happens next will depend on whether Khawula complies with the court order and whether further legal steps — including potential damages — are pursued.