In a bold organizational shake-up, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have removed two of its top KwaZulu-Natal leaders—provincial treasurer Chuma Wakeni and provincial secretary Nkululeko Ngubane—as part of what the party calls an effort to “strengthen the revolutionary engine.” The decision was announced following a closed-door meeting of the EFF’s Central Command Team (CCT) held at a Limpopo golf estate on Friday.
The two ousted officials have been replaced by eThekwini councillor Vukani Ndlovu and Ncedo Njenga, though the party has not clarified their specific new roles. The leadership overhaul was ratified under **Section 14 of the EFF’s constitution**, following deliberations during the party’s second CCT gathering of its third National People’s Assembly earlier this month.
In a statement, the EFF framed the move as a strategic push to “improve administrative capacity” in KwaZulu-Natal, a province it described as one of South Africa’s most politically complex regions. The party emphasized that the changes aim to “establish a solid foundation for upcoming struggles,” signaling a possible recalibration ahead of future electoral contests.
The reshuffle comes amid a weakened EFF presence in the province following May’s elections, where the party’s legislative seats plummeted from eight to two—a collapse largely attributed to the meteoric rise of Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). Despite the electoral setback, the EFF had initially given no indication of impending leadership changes.
Notably, provincial chairperson Mongezi Thwala retains his position, having assumed the role after a contentious conference that saw former leader Vusi Khoza ousted. While the EFF has not detailed the exact reasons for Wakeni and Ngubane’s removals, insiders suggest the move reflects growing impatience with the province’s organizational struggles and declining influence.
Political analysts are closely watching how the new leadership will navigate KZN’s shifting dynamics, particularly as the MKP continues to reshape the province’s opposition landscape. The EFF’s abrupt restructuring underscores its determination to reclaim lost ground—but whether fresh faces can revive its “revolutionary engine” remains an open question.