In a dramatic escalation of tensions within the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Member of Parliament Sinawo Thambo has publicly called out his fellow party leader, Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, for remaining silent in the face of growing controversy. Thambo’s remarks come after claims that Ndlozi had been excluded from attending the party’s upcoming National People’s Assembly (NPA) in December, sparking concerns about his standing within the EFF.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Thambo expressed his frustration over what he perceived as Ndlozi’s failure to speak out amid negative press surrounding his name. “Our organisation cannot be dragged through the mud daily in your name and you keep quiet as if you have no capacity to talk,” Thambo wrote. “Silence at times becomes complicity. I love him too, but I love the EFF more.”
The spat appears to be rooted in a broader crisis of internal party loyalty and leadership dynamics. Ndlozi’s name hit the headlines in August, when EFF leader Julius Malema publicly criticized his partner, actress Mmabatho Montsho, for supporting the exit of Deputy President Floyd Shivambu from the party. Shivambu’s departure in August to join former President Jacob Zuma’s MK Party marked a major blow to the EFF, and Malema wasted no time in calling out party members who failed to speak up in the wake of his exit.
Thambo’s recent criticism follows similar concerns voiced by political analysts, who have questioned the EFF’s ability to effectively manage internal disputes. Political analyst Levy Ndou warned that if the party fails to address Ndlozi’s alleged exclusion from the NPA and provide transparency about its membership decisions, the party could face serious disintegration.
In response to Ndou’s remarks, Thambo was unequivocal. “The EFF is not representative of individual interests and does not answer to nonsense,” he retorted. “It’s a pathetic question that does not come from EFF membership, and the EFF owes no one any answer for tabloid gossip.” Thambo further emphasized that those circulating rumors about the party’s internal issues should be held accountable for their actions.
The NPA, scheduled for December 13-15 at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, will serve as a critical moment for the EFF to elect new leadership, including filling the vacant deputy president position. Ndlozi, a fiery and charismatic figure within the EFF, has garnered significant support from younger, more radical members who see him as a viable candidate for deputy president.
This internal rift mirrors recent tensions within the party, including a public dispute between EFF Student Command (EFFSC) member Kganki Mphalele and Malema. Mphalele was expelled after suggesting Malema should not interfere in the NPA process, arguing that EFF branches preferred Ndlozi for the deputy president role over Godrich Gardee, who has Malema’s endorsement.
The tensions underscore a broader ideological divide within the party, with some members seeking a more radical shift in leadership, while others appear to align with Malema’s more moderate vision. “CMSR Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, we’re going for the jugular now,” Mphalele wrote on X, calling for the protection of the EFF from what he described as “elites” within the party. “Some people think they’re untouchable, but we will show them that they’re not,” he added, suggesting a concerted effort to challenge those in power.
As the EFF approaches the NPA, the question remains: will the party be able to reconcile its internal divisions, or will these public spats fracture the unity that has propelled it into South Africa’s political spotlight? With figures like Thambo, Ndlozi, and Malema all vying for influence, the coming weeks will undoubtedly be crucial for the future of the party.
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