Johnathan Paoli
On the eve of the first sitting of Parliament, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have reiterated their complete unwillingness to join the multi-party coalition which includes the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the VryheidsFront Plus (FF+).
While addressing a press briefing on Thursday, an unrepentant Malema said his party refuses to work with the DA and “all right-wing Oppenheimer funded political parties. The DA is our enemy,” he stressed.
Malema said they want to report to South Africa that they do not have an agreement with the ANC which has “promised to come back to us after the two official meetings” they have had.
“However, we are aware that the ANC is finalising an agreement to work with the DA, the FF+ and other regional political parties and consequently, the EFF would refuse to work with any reactionary party,” Malema said.
“These right-wing and neo liberal parties represent a reactionary, counter-revolutionary, and neo-colonial agenda which seeks to protect the existing property relations in South Africa where the white minority continue to be the economic majority”.
EFF, however, Malema said would participate in Parliament and Provincial Legislatures and would contest for the position of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and chairs of committees.
“These responsibilities are not a product of an elite pact, but an electoral outcome which has mandated us to be members of Parliament and Provincial legislatures”.
EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said in a statement the party remained a radical, militant and revolutionary economic emancipation movement which would not compromise principles on the altar of political and opportunistic convenience.
Mathys said the party has been engaging different role players on constituting a stable government in South Africa following the national and provincial elections which failed to produce an outright majority.
She confirmed that the Red Berets had been in consultations with several parties including: the African National Congress (ANC), Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, United Democratic Movement, African Transformation Movement, Al-Jamaah party and the Pan-Africanist Congress.
“Our basis of engagements with all these political parties was based on the principle of constituting a stable parliament and government which will lead South Africa for the next five years,” she said.
She reiterated the party’s negotiating principles, which include: the 7 non-negotiable pillars – service delivery commitments with timelines; anti-racism; anti-imperialism; commitment to African prosperity; publication of all concrete agreements; and constant and honest engagements and reports.
She concluded by insisting that the MK party should be given the opportunity to lead the government of the province of KwaZulu-Natal and her party would support all processes to constitute a legislature led by MK as the political party that received the highest number of votes in the province.
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