Another senior figure in South Africa’s leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has stepped down, marking a further setback for the organization following last year’s electoral losses and a series of high-profile defections.
The EFF announced on Thursday via a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, a founding member, former party spokesperson, and close ally of EFF leader Julius Malema, had resigned from Parliament. Alongside Ndlozi, Yazini Tetyana also tendered their resignation as an EFF lawmaker. The party extended its well wishes to both but did not disclose the reasons for their departures.
EFF Statement On The Voluntary Resignations Of Fighter, Yazini Tetyana and Fighter, Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi From The Parliament Of South Africa.
The EFF has accepted the respective voluntary requests to be released from deployment of the two Fighters, who have diligently served the… pic.twitter.com/giyxPBiANf
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) January 9, 2025
The resignations come at a challenging time for the EFF, which has seen its support shrink. In last year’s general elections, the party’s share of the vote fell to 9.5%, down from 10.8% in 2019, resulting in the loss of five parliamentary seats.
Since then, the EFF has faced additional challenges, with several prominent members, including its former deputy leader, defecting to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). The MKP, founded by former President Jacob Zuma, emerged as South Africa’s third-largest political party in the May 29 elections, overtaking the EFF in influence.
The EFF, known for its advocacy of policies such as the nationalization of mines and banks, now faces the dual challenge of addressing internal resignations and rebuilding its electoral base. Ndlozi’s departure, in particular, may signal deeper fissures within the party, given his longstanding role as a key figure in its formation and communication strategy.
As the political landscape shifts, the EFF’s ability to retain its relevance amid growing competition from the MKP and other parties will likely define its trajectory in the coming years. For now, the departure of Ndlozi and Tetyana adds to the mounting challenges for Julius Malema’s leadership and the party’s future.