Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has brushed off threats from former President Jacob Zuma, insisting that he is not intimidated by the former statesman or his political allies. Malema made the remarks during an interview on the party’s podcast, which was later shared across the EFF’s social media platforms.
“This is not the first time he has called me out to fight with him, and I will do it, I’ll do it with ease. I’m not scared of Zuma or his people,” Malema said, unflinching in his defiance.
His comments come amid growing tensions between the EFF and Zuma’s newly-formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, a political outfit that has quickly risen to prominence. Malema’s remarks appear to be a direct response to the recent defection of several senior EFF members, including former deputy leader Floyd Shivambu, former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and advocate Dali Mpofu, who left the EFF to join Zuma’s MK Party.
Malema was particularly vocal about what he perceived as backstabbing in politics, particularly among those who smile publicly while undermining him behind his back. “There is no way anyone is going to threaten the existence of the EFF and become a friend. That will be a lie. People keep stabbing you in the back and then want to smile in public. No, keep your distance,” Malema added.
Malema’s words come after reports that some of the highest-ranking EFF members met with Zuma at his Nkandla homestead in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the 2024 elections. According to Malema, the gathering discussed the possibility of dissolving the EFF and forming a new political formation under Zuma’s leadership.
Malema himself did not attend the meeting, but sent some of his senior party members, including Dali Mpofu, who is said to have presented the idea of shutting down the EFF and merging with other opposition parties to create a new entity under Zuma’s banner.
“Dali went to make a presentation at that first meeting, where he said the EFF must shut down and join other parties to form something under Zuma’s leadership,” Malema explained.
Malema made it clear that the EFF would not fall apart under his leadership, stating, “You cannot destroy that which you have not built. It can’t fall apart. It’s our own child, it’s our baby, and we will decide what we do with it. The EFF is the future, and it cannot be destabilised by opportunism.”
His resolve to protect the EFF was reinforced in an interview last week at the inauguration ceremony of Botswana’s President Duma Boko, where Malema was once again asked about his relationship with Zuma.
“I don’t have any relationship with President Zuma. We are political contenders, he is a leader of a political party, and I am a leader of a political party. That’s where our relationship starts and ends. Where we agree on issues, we will share a common perspective; where we disagree, we will disagree respectfully,” Malema said, distancing himself from any notion of alliance with Zuma.
The MK Party, just under a year old, has already become South Africa’s third-largest political party, with a notable number of high-profile defections from the EFF. The defections have raised concerns within the EFF about the potential weakening of the party, but Malema insists that such challenges will only strengthen the movement.
“The EFF will not fall apart under our watch,” he reiterated, signaling that despite the setbacks, the party remains firmly in control of its destiny.
As the EFF prepares for its elective conference next month, Malema’s leadership will undoubtedly be under scrutiny. His fiery rhetoric and unwavering commitment to the party’s future suggest that he is determined to keep the EFF unified and on course, regardless of the political pressures it faces from rivals like Zuma’s MK Party.
In the coming months, all eyes will be on the EFF’s elective conference and how the party responds to these internal and external challenges, with Malema clearly ready for any political battle that lies ahead.
