By Alicia Mmashakana
EFF leader Julius Malema has warned leaders who are planning to leave the party following former deputy president Floyd Shivambu’s resignation to do so immediately.
Malema, addressing the Gauteng ground forces at the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto on Monday, said there were members in leadership positions who were waiting for the National Assembly to elect new leadership to see if they have made it or not before they could leave to join MK Party.
He dared those members to leave immediately. He further told the ground forces that the task at hand now was to build the movement and isolate those who thought the EFF was a step-ladder to positions and personal gain.
Malema described them as opportunistic because they were waiting see whether they would emerge in the upcoming 3rd National People’s Assembly, before they could decide whether they will remain in the EFF or not.
“Many of them are using the 3rd National People’s Assembly as a threat, that if they do not get elected, or are not part of the leadership discussions leading up to the conference, then they will leave and join the MKP.
“We must never be blackmailed by those who want to threaten us with leaving after the 3rd National People’s Assembly. I want to say to them: LEAVE NOW! Leave NOW so that we can know How many Soldiers we have in this struggle,” said Malema.
Malema in his first public address since the departure of Shivambu announced structures that used to report to the former deputy president will now report to his office and others deployed elsewhere.
He said anything in the organization that remined the party of Shivambu will be removed. Further, Shivambu would be replaced in the National Assembly by youthful Sinawo Thambo.
“Comrades, we need to remind ourselves why we joined the EFF. Our organization turned 11-years old on the 26th of July 2024, and we marked this milestone by re-committing ourselves to the ideals and principles that are within our Founding Manifesto and the organizational documents that guide us.
“Do not be persuaded by those who have fallen along the way, do not be discouraged by those who have lost hope, because they thought that the revolution is a bed of roses,” he said.
The firebrand leader used the platform to refute claims that he had negotiated a deputy president deal with President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of the deal to join the multi-party coalition government.
He said it was public knowledge that he was the first leader to endorse the coalition government.
Malema said he was never part of the negotiations for the coalition government.’
He reminded the fighters that many times doomsayers have predicted the death of the party and every time the party would emerge stronger and more resilient.
“Fellow fighters we have died many times, and we must never be afraid to die again because every time they have predicted our death, we have emerged stronger and more resilient,” he said.
Malema also questioned members with huge following on social media who remained silent when the organization was being attacked, saying the party’s constitution was clear that at all time members and leaders must defend the organisation.
“Why are those who claim to be our comrades silent? Why are those who are known and popular to be the most vocal on social media suddenly silent? Why do they not use their platforms to speak in defense of the EFF if they are truly loyal to this movement?” he asked.
In what appeared to be a personal attack on former spokesman Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Malema questioned his loyalty to the party after his wife liked a post by Shivambu who said joining MK Party was the best decision.
Malema said for the mere fact that Ndlozi’s wife liked such a post by Shivambu spoke volumes.
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