The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) third National People’s Assembly commenced at the Nasrec Expo Centre amid allegations of sabotage, infiltration, and internal turmoil. Party leader Julius Malema, delivering his political report on Friday, claimed that the EFF is under threat from forces attempting to destabilize the movement.
Addressing more than 6,000 attendees, including over 2,500 voting delegates, Malema reflected on the challenges the party has faced since its formation. He described the assembly as a pivotal moment for the EFF, similar to past conferences that coincided with significant events in the nation’s history.
Malema highlighted the party’s first electoral decline in the May 29 national and provincial elections, marking a turning point in its political journey. This, coupled with the exodus of key leaders—including former deputy president Floyd Shivambu, Dali Mpofu, and Busisiwe Mkhwebane to the Jacob Zuma-led MK Party—has left the EFF grappling with instability.
Malema accused Zuma of orchestrating efforts to collapse the EFF and absorb it into the MK Party. He referenced a report, allegedly compiled by Mpofu during his tenure as EFF national chairperson, which purportedly outlined plans to merge the two parties.
According to Malema, the EFF has been infiltrated by individuals seeking to undermine its mission of economic emancipation. He warned delegates that these acts of sabotage pose a significant threat to the party’s vision and the broader struggle for black liberation in South Africa.
“At this third national people’s assembly, we are faced with a new moment wherein the EFF experienced its first electoral decline and suffered unprecedented levels of sabotage and infiltration,” Malema said. “It is for this reason delegates, that the theme for this NPA is ‘Defend, Rebuild, and Advance the Struggle for Economic Freedom,’ because, for the first time, the revolution is under a genuine threat of disruption.”
Malema urged delegates to remain steadfast in defending the EFF’s mission, warning that efforts to dismantle the party could set back the progress of black South Africans by a century.
“It is our duty to rebuild this economic emancipation and the faith our people have in the principle of economic freedom and justice, because the EFF remains the most important and viable record for the liberation of African people,” Malema asserted.
As the EFF grapples with internal challenges and external threats, Malema’s unopposed bid for a third term underscores his leadership’s continuity amid turbulence. The assembly’s outcome will likely shape the future trajectory of the party as it seeks to recover from setbacks and reaffirm its relevance in South Africa’s political landscape.
The conference’s theme and Malema’s remarks reflect a party determined to confront adversity while reaffirming its commitment to economic freedom and justice. Whether the EFF can overcome its current challenges will depend on its ability to rebuild trust and unity within its ranks.