Malema Criticizes ANC’s Lack of Support for Zuma Amid Growing Internal Disconnect

• Julius Malema highlighted the absence of ANC support for former President Jacob Zuma, pointing to internal divisions within the party.
• He noted that influential figures like Floyd Shivambu and Dali Mpofu, once close to Zuma, have distanced themselves, suggesting a waning of Zuma’s influence.
• Malema’s remarks underline a broader fragmentation within the ANC, as factional interests pull the party in different directions.

In a candid assessment, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema commented on the notable absence of African National Congress (ANC) members rallying behind former President Jacob Zuma, attributing this to an apparent disconnection within the ANC. Malema’s remarks reflect growing tensions and speculation about internal divisions within the ANC, as members appear increasingly fragmented on key issues.

Malema specifically cited high-profile figures like Floyd Shivambu and Dali Mpofu, who once frequented Zuma’s Nkandla residence but are now noticeably absent, a shift he interprets as a sign of Zuma’s diminishing influence. “It makes sense why no one in the ANC is joining Zuma,” Malema observed, implying that these former supporters have moved on as Zuma’s political clout has lessened.

Malema went on to describe an uncoordinated attempt by ANC spokesperson Dakota Lekgoete and Obakeng Mahumapelo to draw Zuma back into the party fold. On December 16, the two reportedly visited Zuma to persuade him to re-engage with the ANC. However, Malema claims this visit lacked formal support or strategy from ANC leadership, reinforcing the notion that Zuma has been sidelined. Former ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule, another figure associated with Zuma, has also been distanced from the party’s inner workings, mirroring the isolation faced by Andile Mngxitama, who was once a prominent player in South African politics.

For Malema, these incidents underscore a growing uncertainty about the ANC’s internal cohesion, suggesting that factional interests are pulling the party in competing directions. As the ANC faces a more competitive political environment, managing these ideological differences within its ranks may be an increasing challenge.