Cape Town — Former Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni, has defended the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) from the naysayers and assured people that the party will still be a force to be reckoned with.
The structures within the red berets were rocked when the party’s deputy president, Floyd Shivambu, switched allegiances to the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. He was officially unveiled as an MK member and was appointed as the party’s national organiser on Thursday 22 August.
Mboweni came out in support of Malema and the party and warned those who were celebrating the EFF’s dark moments, urging them not to do so. He took to X and said the EFF still has a role to play.
“There are some among us who are openly or privately celebrating what they call the demise of the EFF. They really shouldn’t. The EFF has a role to play, like them or not,” he said.
There are some amongst us who are openly or privately celebrating what they call the demise of the EFF. They really shouldn’t. The EFF has a role to play, like them or not!@Julius_S_Malema
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) August 22, 2024
According to TimesLIVE, Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, echoed Mboweni’s views and said Shivambu’s departure can not be seen as a non-entity, but rather a historic event. He said the ANC leadership should look at the situation and strengthen within the party.
“If we are going to be quick to celebrate the departure of Shivambu from the EFF we will forget that ourselves are going through a departure of ANC members to the MK Party. We must manage these departures in a manner that we do not get easily excited. The departure of Floyd is a double-edged sword we need to manage carefully,” he said.
Shivambu’s decision has caused a stir among supporters, who were worried about the party’s future following the disappointments of the 2024 general elections when the party was outvoted by the MK Party.
The MK Party received 14.58% (4 584 864) of votes and took the 3rd spot, while the EFF slid to 4th, receiving 9.52% of votes (3 090 020), a decline of 2.56%.
Mboweni’s comments sparked a reaction from many people on X, who offered their opinions on the EFF.
I totally agree, I am not ready for a South Africa without a party like EFF that fearlessly confront issues and start the uncomfortable conversations.
— Merc🇿🇦🇬🇭🇱🇸 (@Merc_05) August 22, 2024
i think people are celebrating the demise of @Julius_S_Malema more than that of the #EFF, shem.
— Mogorosi Monama (aka Mr. Huckleberry Finn) (@MonamaSolly) August 22, 2024
I couldn’t agree with you more, there’s a serious role a critical opposition has to play in keeping the governing coalition in check. EFF and MKP are very important at this juncture.
— Sokholo kaMazolo (@HloCofu) August 23, 2024
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Picture: X/@tito_mboweni
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
