Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng on Tuesday rallied around their party leader Julius Malema.
In a statement, the EFF said its structures in Gauteng “remain confident, solid, and united behind the leadership of President Julius Sello Malema in the struggle for economic liberation, both in South Africa and across the continent”.
On Monday Malema announced that he was going to address EFF’s “provincial ground forces” to explain what led to his former second in command – Floyd Shivambu – leaving the party to join former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe.
The EFF in Gauteng said despite the call being made a few hours before the address, structures responded in significant numbers that filled up the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto on Monday evening.
Malema detailed the interactions he had with Shivambu after he received the letter saying he was not renewing his EFF membership.
“I asked him what I did wrong? … so, I wouldn’t make the same mistake with others,” recalled Malema, who said he had gone to Shivambu’s home to find out why he was quitting.
“He said I did nothing wrong.
“He told me it was a political move, so fighters, I have no answers for you.”
Malema told his audience it was time to move on.
On Tuesday, the EFF in Gauteng said it was already responding to Malema’s call to “stop mourning” about Shivambu’s sudden and inexplicable departure and instead focus on strengthening the party.
The EFF in Gauteng, which said it remains “highly disciplined and intact”, further stated: “As demonstrated in the recent Ground Forces Forum, the EFF is defined not by individuals who may waiver or betray the cause, but by well-grounded structures made up of activists committed to addressing the realities faced by our people through collective effort”.
The statement added: “The EFF Gauteng remains highly disciplined and intact, focused on our core task of building strong branches and renewing membership of the organisation as we approach the 3rd National People’s Assembly.
“The branches of the EFF are encouraged to continue the work of the revolutionary on the ground and reclaim our terrain in the upcoming by-elections.”
The EFF in Gauteng said it unreservedly supports Malema’s assertion that the party was the only ideologically sound and politically viable alternative capable of “uniting and wielding the working class, the poor, and the marginalised majority into a powerful political force to achieve economic freedom in our lifetime”.
The EFF in Gauteng added: “We thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the EFF Julius Sello Malema for instilling confidence within our structures and the broader membership,”
The Red Berets in Gauteng said during the address Malema also reassured society that, “despite the ongoing attacks and criticism from detractors and biased media, the EFF remains a steadfast vanguard of the working class in South Africa”.
