Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has responded to the news of Advocate Dali Mpofu’s resignation from the party and his subsequent move to the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. Speaking on the EFF podcast, Malema said Mpofu’s decision to leave was not surprising, pointing out that the former EFF chairperson had long been vocal about his intention to merge the EFF with other political forces—specifically the MK Party.
Dali Mpofu’s resignation from the EFF, announced yesterday, sent ripples through the political landscape. In his resignation statement, Mpofu made it clear that he believed the MK Party was the “only vehicle” capable of moving the country forward. The MK Party, historically tied to the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), is often seen as a more radical alternative to the ANC’s leadership.
But according to Malema, this was not the first time Mpofu had expressed interest in aligning with other parties. Malema revealed that Mpofu had been advocating for a merger of the EFF with the MK Party for some time, even suggesting that such a merger could be led by former President Jacob Zuma.
In his podcast remarks, Malema recalled a meeting of opposition parties convened by Jacob Zuma. During the meeting, Mpofu presented a proposal advocating for the dissolution of the EFF and other opposition parties in favour of creating a unified entity under Zuma’s leadership. Malema, however, rejected the idea outright.
“I said, but that’s madness, you can’t do that,” Malema explained, referring to his reaction to Mpofu’s proposal. Despite disagreeing with the suggestion, Malema acknowledged that Mpofu had always been open about his intentions.
“What I respect about Dali is that he’s been open about it. So, when I woke up to the news, I was like, it is what it is. This has never been a shock to me, it was just about when it was going to happen,” Malema added.
While Malema may not agree with Mpofu’s decision, he expressed respect for the manner in which Mpofu has handled the situation. Despite their ideological differences, Malema commended Mpofu for being transparent about his political ambitions and the direction he wanted to take.
“I respect Dali because he was honest about what he wanted to do. He’s always been upfront about his intentions,” Malema remarked, signaling that although their paths have now diverged, he appreciates Mpofu’s forthrightness.
Mpofu’s defection to the MK Party raises questions about the future of his political career, as well as the trajectory of the MK Party itself. While the party has been seeking to establish itself as a prominent force in South African politics, it remains to be seen how much influence Mpofu’s high-profile move will have.
For Malema and the EFF, the departure of Mpofu, a senior member of the party, marks a significant political disparity, but Malema’s calm response underscores his long-held awareness of the situation. The EFF leader appears resolute in his vision for the party’s future, while also displaying a level of political maturity in accepting Mpofu’s decision with little surprise.
Mpofu’s move to the MK Party is just one in a series of political shifts in South Africa, where political allegiances are often fluid, and leaders regularly shift between parties in search of new platforms for their ideas. With the 2024 national elections looming, it remains to be seen how these realignments will impact the South African political landscape.
As for Malema, he remains focused on leading the EFF, despite the loss of Mpofu, and his comments suggest that the party is determined to continue its campaign for economic freedom and social justice—undeterred by the defection of one of its founding members.
Watch the clip on Youtube: https://youtu.be/7-sSGvJdPKE?si=BqvQ7AfbZR9KEaF2
