Cape Town – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has expressed its intention to attract influential members from the ANC, with former president Jacob Zuma being among their targeted recruits.
Party leader Julius Malema said that Zuma should not be punished indefinitely.
“If president Zuma comes and joins the EFF, he’ll be welcome. I think very soon I’ll be going to see him, I must give him a form to join. The same way I’ll give to President Mbeki, the same way I’ll give to President Motlanthe.”
“They are good citizens of the country and I think president Zuma has paid his dues. I mean I said yesterday (Friday) the highest form of punishment you can give a sitting president is to ensure that they don’t end their term of office,” said Malema during an interview with SABC.
Malema was in Carletonville in Gauteng as part of the EFF’s 10th birthday celebrations. He visited the Zanele Mtshali Disability Home.
ALSO READ | WATCH | Mzwanele Manyi joins EFF
Zuma faces 16 counts of fraud, graft and racketeering relating to a contract to purchase fighter jets, patrol boats and equipment from five European arms firms while he was vice president.
He served as president from 2009 to 2018 before being forced out over allegations of corruption in the state sector.
The EFF recently received former African Transformation Movement (ATM) member Mzwanele Manyi.
In his welcome speech, Malema said Manyi’s “credentials spoke volumes” and the EFF was honoured to have him in the party.
“On behalf of the EFF ground forces, I want to take this opportunity to welcome fighter Mzwanele Manyi to his political home. We are honoured to have you as part of our family. Remember, we are one people of the African continent.
“Your credentials speak volumes and we are more than confident you will make a massive contribution to the success of the struggle for economic freedom in our lifetime,” said Malema.
‘We must start identifying and recruiting quality people into the EFF’ – CIC Julius Malema
Welcome Fighter @MzwaneleManyi pic.twitter.com/X2KABIaqeo
— Koketso_Montjane (@_06_33) May 5, 2023
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
