Cape Town – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has denied that its open border policy cost them thousands of votes in the recent election.
With over 99% of voting districts counted, more than 1.5 million South Africans voted for the EFF, down from over 1.8 million votes in the 2019 elections.
Suggestions have been made that the EFF’s stance on open borders for economic trade was unpopular with voters.
However, EFF leader Julius Malema attributed the decline to the emergence of Former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, which has now become the third biggest party in the country.
EFF leader Julius Malema says it’s not true that the ‘open border’ policy cost EFF many votes, adding that the party will not compromise a principle to please non-existing voters. Malema says 41% of South Africans voted for the ANC, which brought undocumented foreign nationals to… pic.twitter.com/QuuSpf3P9H
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 1, 2024
Malema dismissed claims that their open border policy drove away supporters.
He said that the EFF remained steadfast in its values and would not compromise on its stance to please voters.
Malema emphasised that the EFF would not adopt xenophobic policies, affirming that foreign nationals came to South Africa seeking better opportunities and that the country has the capacity to support them.
“Foreign nationals don’t want to come here for the sake of coming here. They want jobs, they want greener pastures. We are a big country, and we have the capacity to develop their countries.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
