South Africa’s radical opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), appears to be on a downward spiral after another high-profile member defected to ex-president Jacob Zuma’s party.
Dali Mpofu, a lawyer and former chairman of the EFF, told local media that after much “searching for himself” he had decided to join uMhkonto weSizwe (MK), or Spear of the Nation.
“I believe it [MK] is the vehicle that will achieve much-needed Black and progressive unity,” he said.
Led by firebrand Julius Malema, the EFF enjoyed strong support among South Africa’s growing young population, frustrated by the slow pace of political and economic reform since the end of the racist apartheid system in 1994.
But the EFF suffered a major setback in May’s general election when, instead of achieving its goal of rising from the country’s third-largest party to second, it fell to fourth place.
It lost support to MK, where the party was controversial in the first elections after its formation last year.
Zuma led the party’s campaign and made a dramatic comeback after being jailed in 2021 for contempt of court over his refusal to cooperate with a judge-led investigation into corruption during his presidency.
The two parties share similar economic policies – including the expropriation of white-owned land and state ownership of mines and banks.
South African political analyst Sandile Swana told the BBC that Mpofu’s move was driven by “political ambition”.
“As it stands, MK is substantially larger than EFF. If anyone wants power, they have a faster route with MK,” he said.
Mpofu’s defection follows that of Malema’s deputy, Floyd Shivambu, and two lawmakers, Mzwanele Manyi and Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Mr Swana said the EFF could benefit from this “pruning process”.
“The unnecessary branches are cut off,” he said.
Reacting to Mpodu’s defection on an EFF podcast, Malema said it did not come as a shock.
“We respect his decision,” he added.
But Shivambu, once the EFF leader’s right-hand man, rubbed salt in Malema’s wound and shared a post on Instagram welcoming Mpofu to MK.
“Welcome Dali Mpofu to the movement that has superior ideological, political and organizational capacity and composure,” he wrote in a post.
Mpofu was part of the EFF’s top leadership and held the position of chairman from 2014 to 2019. He later focused on his legal career, representing the party, and more recently Zuma, in court cases with the government.
Both the EFF and the MK are offshoots of the African National Congress (ANC), which has been in power since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Mpofu was a member of the ANC for 33 years before joining the EFF.
Mpofu announced his defection on public broadcaster SABC, saying he had not informed Malema in advance but there was no “bad blood” between them.
He also claimed that he and Zuma first discussed the idea of forming a new party two years ago.
He helped choose MK’s name and was involved in discussions about its structure while still in the EFF, Mpofu claimed – although he denied he was operating as a “double agent”.
Mr Swana said Zuma and Mpofu were “intertwined”.
Mpofu saw a “better prospect with Zuma than running around with a spring chicken like Malema”, he added.
The 82-year-old Zuma was president of South Africa for nine years until he was forced to resign by the ANC in 2018, partly due to corruption scandals.
Malema, 43, is a former ANC youth leader. In 2012, he was expelled from the party, then led by Zuma, after being accused of sowing division.
After launching the EFF a year later, he has been at the helm of the party ever since.
He is expected to be re-elected unopposed at a party conference next month, despite rumors about his leadership.
“There is a rejection of Julius Malema’s dictatorial style when it comes to leadership succession,” South African political analyst Ongama Mtimka told the BBC.
He added that EFF members believed Malema and his inner circle had already selected leaders for senior positions.
“If leaders are told that their fellow leaders want to run for the top position, it is seen as a betrayal,” he said.
On
He urged party members to rally behind him, adding: “To avoid any damage, it is crucial to follow the leadership’s guidance.
“We will stand our ground and go nowhere under a criminal syndicate.”
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