EFF leader, Julius Malema, has publicly criticised ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, for his defence of the Government of National Unity (GNU), suggesting that it comes at the expense of his own party.
The criticism comes amid escalating tensions between the national ANC and the Gauteng provincial leadership. This is suspected to have followed Mbalula’s decision to summon Gauteng Premier and ANC provincial chairperson, Panyaza Lesufi, to the party’s headquarters, Luthuli House, over his sentiments on GNU.
Malema questioned Mbalula’s motives.
“Why is Fikile Mbalula defending GNU even more than the person who came with the GNU, Cyril Ramaphosa?”
The EFF leader says while Ramaphosa has been reasonable about the GNU, Mbalula has not, going as far as sending letters to those who speak out against it.
Mbalula has, however, since changed his tune, saying national party officials including President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted his explanation for his perceived negative comments.
According to Mbalula, Lesufi told them that he has been misrepresented in the media regarding his public comments about the GNU.
The ANC’s seeming internal conflict stems from differing views on its partnership with the DA, the GNU’s key partner.
Lesufi reportedly expressed frustration at the ANC’s failure to defend Gauteng leaders against the DA’s attacks, who have labelled Gauteng leaders as “rogue elements” of the liberation movement.
Malema’s comments come at a critical time for the EFF, which faces its own challenges.
The party took a significant hit in August when some prominent leaders of the party, including its Deputy President, Floyd Shivambu, defected to Jacob Zuma’s MK Party.
This has created a leadership vacuum, with concerns that the party is at its weakest since its formation in 2013.
As the EFF prepares for its elective conference in December and the 2026 local government elections, Malema has announced the dissolution of the EFF Student Command in favour of the EFF Youth Command.
However, it remains unclear whether student leaders, a key voter base, will welcome this decision.
The conference is scheduled for December 12 to 15 at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
Written by: Naomi Kobbie
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