Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema conducted a strategic dry run in Limpopo over the weekend, gearing up for the party’s upcoming National People’s Assembly. The event, held in Westenburg on Saturday, was part of the Provincial General Assemblies (PGAs) taking place across South Africa. These assemblies are a critical step in selecting delegates for the internal election process set to occur next month.
Addressing EFF members, Malema emphasized the importance of accountability in choosing delegates. “These must be people we can touch and see,” he said, underscoring the need for discipline and order among party members, referred to as “fighters.” He also cautioned against external influences that could disrupt the assembly, urging members to reject any actions that promote disorder or anarchy.
Godrich Gardee, a senior member of the EFF in Limpopo, echoed Malema’s sentiments while addressing attendees. Together, they laid out measures to ensure a transparent and fair election process, including the prohibition of lobbying practices that could compromise the integrity of the proceedings.
The PGAs serve as a foundational step in solidifying the EFF’s internal democratic processes, as the party prepares for its highly anticipated National People’s Assembly next month.
These include:
a) Raising and using funds and other resources to campaign for election;
b) Distributing money to EFF members and structures as part of a campaign for leadership election;
c) Production of T-shirts, posters and other paraphernalia to promote a particular list of candidates;
d) Promising positions or other incentives or threatening to withhold such, as a means of gaining support;
e) Using the media to promote a particular list of candidates and to spread malicious rumours falsehoods or allegations against those with whom you disagree;
f) Leaking confidential information to the media; secret interaction with journalists with the intention to get them to write stories on internal organisational issues or communicating internal decisions
a) Negative campaigning, which relates to attacks on the integrity of other comrades both within the structures of the movement and in other forums;
b) Suppressing honest and legitimate debate about the calibre of candidates in formal meetings of the movement;
c) Allowing structures or individuals to condone violation of constitutional provisions and/or regulations, and/or failing to report such violations when they occur;
d) Using the offices, resources and staff of the EFF or any state institutions or company as machinery to promote a particular list of candidates;
e) Using violence, intimidation and threats to coerce/force those who hold a different view;
f) Setting up structures outside the organisation to promote or lobby for a particular candidate(s);
g) Convening meetings to discuss leadership issues under the false pretext that they are organised constitutional structures;
h) Production and distribution of documents and pamphlets not approved by the structures of the organisation will not be allowed.
Malema said that no violations of these rules would be tolerated, and urged members to protect the integrity of the movement and ensure a smooth and disciplined assembly process.
