EFF leader Julius Malema. (file photo)
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader and long-time legal representative of Jacob Zuma, Dali Mpofu, is leaving Julius Malema's party and joining Zuma's political party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK). He became the newest executive.
Mr Malema has indicated he is unfazed by the decision and expects other senior leaders to resign soon.
Mr Mpofu, who served as EFF national chairman from 2014 to 2019, confirmed his resignation in an interview with the SABC, saying he had worked with Mr Zuma to help establish the MK party.
“The MK Party is true to promoting unity, full blackness, progressive unity, and I feel that full liberation will be achieved through the MK Party,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said the decision came after “a lot of soul searching” and had been planned over the past year.
“There was a time when only former President Zuma and I knew about this project to establish the MK,” Mpofu said, adding that discussions began after the ANC's 2022 conference.
“I don't think it's necessary to die for the ANC, EFF or MK. But for now, the MK party presents a broader vision for decolonization and is an alternative means of uniting the people. ” he said.
Mpofu said his resignation was due to Malema's personal issues with the EFF, adding that he had not yet spoken directly to Malema about his decision.
“There is no bad blood,” Mpofu said. “I will extend that courtesy. [of informing Malema] After this announcement. ”
MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Nderela confirmed that Mpofu had joined the party, saying it reflected MK's appeal to former EFF members interested in “black and progressive solidarity”. said. Mr Mpofu described the party as “the only vehicle” that could achieve that goal.
Commenting on his recent defection, Malema said on social media: [Shivambu’s] Your favorites will remain and your list will be complete. They sing beautifully and are always happy to take pictures and sign roll calls. But remember that their souls are long gone. We continue to stand and we are not going to go under the criminal gangs. ”
Sources said Malema was referring to Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and Veronica Mente, who are touted by the branch to join the party's top six at December's party conference.
“Soon they will be next. Despite their recent rise in popularity, the plan is to remove Mr Ndlozi and Mr Mente from the party. It is only a matter of time,” said a senior source. Ta.
This comes at a time when the EFF is screening out so-called “infiltrators” ahead of the conference.
The EFF has faced increasing defections to the MK party since it was formally established last year.
Mpofu joins several prominent former EFF leaders who have joined the MK party in recent months, following the departure of former party deputy leader Floyd Shivambu, who left the EFF to become the party's national organizer in August. He is one of the people.
Former EFF MP Mzwanele Manyi is currently the MK Party's parliamentary chairperson and former EFF MP Busisiwe Mkhwebane is the MK Party's convener in Mpumalanga.
Another source said he was surprised it took so long for Mpofu to leave the party, as he had shown signs of wanting to leave since 2020.
Mpofu was abruptly removed from Malema's leadership in 2019. Red Berets leaders are said to have instructed their branches not to vote for Mr Mpofu due to his “busy schedule”.
At the time, Malema ally Kolen Sedibe campaigned for Mpofu to resign as he was seen to be working for the ANC and not benefiting the EFF.
Mr Sedibe was referring to the case Mr Mpofu won against the ruling party by former North West provincial Supra Mahumapelo to overturn the ANC national executive committee's decision to dissolve the provincial executive committee.
This is despite Mr Mpofu campaigning to remove Mr Shivambu from his position and Mandisa Mashego set to take over as Secretary-General against Marshal Dlamini. However, his tablet did not materialize as the branch supported Malema's tablet at the last moment.
