Former President Jacob Zuma’s recent remarks on land expropriation without compensation have sparked political tensions, particularly with senior members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Speaking to supporters in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma reportedly suggested that the EFF should align with the African National Congress (ANC) to achieve land reclamation. However, EFF leaders have dismissed his comments as political posturing rather than a genuine policy call.
“Zuma has never said he wants the EFF to vote for the ANC to get the land back. He was playing politics,” a senior EFF member stated during a media briefing. They criticized Zuma’s track record, pointing out that during his presidency from 2009 to 2018, the ANC failed to deliver meaningful land reform despite having the authority to do so.
“Zuma had the authority and the opportunity to enact transformative policies,” the EFF member added. “Instead, the ANC spent years dithering on this critical issue. How many more years does Zuma think he needs?”
Zuma has never said he wants the EFF to vote for the ANC to get land back he was playing politics
Zuma’s ANC led for 9yrs and to this day there’s no land
Zuma has never brought land back
How many years does Zuma needpic.twitter.com/kIdo3mg9tD
— OvoMogoeng (@CMogoeng) December 3, 2024
Land reform has been a cornerstone of the ANC’s policy agenda, but progress has been slow. Critics argue that Zuma’s administration, like others before it, failed to address the historical injustices of land dispossession effectively.
The EFF, founded in 2013 under Julius Malema’s leadership, has positioned itself as the leading advocate for radical land reform, with expropriation without compensation at the heart of its platform. EFF leaders have long expressed frustration with the ANC, accusing the ruling party of lacking the political will to confront the land issue decisively.
Political analysts view Zuma’s comments as an attempt to reassert his relevance by tapping into populist sentiments around land reform. However, they caution that such remarks may alienate voters if perceived as insincere or opportunistic.
The land question remains one of South Africa’s most polarizing and urgent issues, emblematic of the country’s broader socio-economic disparities. With the 2024 elections approaching, political parties are intensifying their efforts to position themselves as the champions of land reform.
For the EFF, the stakes are clear. “The time for playing politics with land reform is over. South Africans deserve action, not empty promises,” the senior EFF member concluded, signaling the party’s determination to push for tangible progress on one of the nation’s most pressing challenges.
