Media personality and activist Ngizwe Mchunu has stirred political debate after publicly revealing that he turned down an invitation to join the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) based on warnings from former party insiders. Mchunu, speaking at a community gathering on Thursday, said he was informed by Floyd Shivambu now the leader of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement and political figure Dunge that EFF leader Julius Malema allegedly presides over the party in an authoritarian manner and is implicated in corrupt conduct.
According to Mchunu, the cautionary advice was enough to convince him to decline what he described as a “serious political overture” from the EFF. “Floyd Shivambu and Dunge informed me that Julius Malema is authoritarian and involved in corrupt practices. Based on this, I declined his offer to join the Economic Freedom Fighters,” Mchunu said, triggering immediate reaction across political circles.
Shivambu, once one of the EFF’s most influential figures, left the party amid a much-publicised fallout with Malema and has since positioned himself as a key voice in the newly formed Afrika Mayibuye Movement. His alleged warnings to Mchunu will likely intensify scrutiny over the long-standing tensions between him and the EFF leadership.
Dunge, another figure familiar with internal dynamics of the EFF, is said to have echoed the concerns, painting a picture of a party governed through rigid centralised control. Their alleged remarks, now made public, have raised questions about the EFF’s internal environment and have added fuel to ongoing narratives about leadership fractures.
The EFF has not issued an official response to Mchunu’s claims. However, party insiders who spoke informally suggested the remarks were part of a broader attempt by competing political formations to discredit Malema ahead of the next electoral cycle. Malema has repeatedly dismissed accusations of authoritarian tendencies, characterising them as bitterness from former members unable to accept organisational discipline.
Political analysts say Mchunu’s announcement is significant due to his large following and ability to shape public sentiment. His decision not to join the EFF could impact the party’s outreach strategy, particularly in communities where Mchunu holds considerable influence.
For now, Mchunu maintains that he will stay politically independent, asserting that he prefers to “associate with leaders who uphold transparency and integrity”. His comments are expected to spark fresh debate as the rivalry between emerging movements and the EFF continues to intensify.
