Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Treasurer-General and Tshwane mayoral candidate, Omphile Maotwe, has expressed confidence that her party will receive significant support in the upcoming elections. Maotwe believes the EFF is ready to take over municipalities across South Africa. Her comments come amid predictions that the party's support may be lower than in the 2021 local government elections.
The EFF's performance in the 2024 general elections was significantly lower compared to the 2019 national elections. The party's stance on migration, which included a call for immigrants to be documented, may have contributed to this decline. Despite this, Maotwe remains optimistic about the party's chances, citing widespread support from people across the country.
Maotwe said people have shown interest in supporting the EFF, with many expressing a desire for the party to take over Tshwane and even Gauteng province. She claimed that the party's message has resonated with the public, with many saying the EFF is ready to take over the country. The party has been actively campaigning, with President Julius Malema crisscrossing all nine provinces.
The EFF has been the subject of controversy in the past, including allegations of infiltration by State Security Agency (SSA) operatives in 2015. The SSA reportedly spent R12 million to fund Project Mayibuye, aimed at infiltrating the EFF. Former deputy president Floyd Shivambu left the EFF in 2024 to join former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
Shivambu later left the MK Party to form his own party, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement. Maotwe declined to comment on whether Shivambu was involved in the infiltration of the EFF, but noted that the choice of name for his party "tells a story". She called on the media to investigate the matter further.
Maotwe expressed concern about the use of taxpayers' money to fund projects aimed at destroying the EFF. She stated that the party will investigate the matter and take action. The EFF has long been critical of the SSA's alleged slush fund, which was used to fund Project Mayibuye.
The EFF's confidence in its support base comes as the party prepares for the upcoming elections. Maotwe's comments suggest that the party is determined to make gains in the elections and challenge the dominance of other parties. The party's success will depend on its ability to mobilize its supporters and win over new voters.
Key points
- EFF Treasurer-General Omphile Maotwe is confident of the party's chances in the upcoming elections.
- The party's stance on migration may have contributed to its decline in support.
- The EFF has been the subject of controversy, including allegations of infiltration by State Security Agency operatives.
