Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) treasurer-general Omphile Maotwe has dismissed concerns about the party's recent exodus of leaders, stating that the EFF has grown in membership since the departures. Maotwe, who is also the party's Tshwane mayoral candidate, made these remarks during a recent interview with the Mail & Guardian. Despite the party's share of the vote dropping from 14% to 9% in the 2024 general election, Maotwe insisted that the EFF has shown signs of growth and is poised to perform well in the upcoming 4 November elections.
The EFF has experienced a significant exodus of leaders, including former deputy president Floyd Shivambu, former chairperson Dali Mpofu, and other members of Parliament, who left to join the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party). Maotwe downplayed the impact of these departures, stating that the party has actually grown since then. She noted that when Shivambu was in the party, the EFF's membership in a ward stood at around 100 members, but since his departure, the party has changed its requirements, now requiring a branch to have 200 members to be in good standing.
Maotwe expressed confidence in the EFF's chances in the upcoming elections, stating that the party's membership has grown and its message remains clear and widely understood. She cited the success of the party's recent mayoral launches in Gauteng, which were well attended, as evidence of the EFF's growing support. Maotwe also noted that research by Ipsos has shown signs of growth and that the party is poised to do well in the elections.
The EFF's controversial stances on immigration have been attributed to its poor electoral performance in some areas. However, Maotwe defended the party's position, stating that its message is clear and widely understood. She noted that the party is calling for a united Africa and for undocumented migrants to be documented so that the country is aware of who is living within its borders. Maotwe accused the establishment of deliberately distorting the EFF's message to dent its integrity and image.
Maotwe attributed the party's reduction in votes in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in 2024 to the impact of the MK Party. However, she expressed confidence that the EFF will not be defeated by the MK Party, stating that the party has done its own research and tested its strength. Maotwe noted that the EFF has had a lot of engagements on the ground and has changed its leadership, which she believes will help the party to perform well in the upcoming elections.
The EFF's position on immigration has been met with criticism from some quarters, with some South Africans accusing foreign nationals of taking their jobs and blaming illegal immigrants for rising crime. However, Maotwe stated that the party's messaging is correct and that it is the establishment that is distorting the message. She noted that most political parties agree with the EFF that undocumented foreign nationals must be documented so that the country can hold them to account.
Maotwe concluded by stating that the EFF is calling for Africa to unite as one country, with one currency, one president, one military, and one justice system. She expressed confidence that the party's message is resonating with voters and that it will perform well in the upcoming elections. Maotwe also dismissed concerns about the party's ability to compete with other parties, stating that the EFF has a clear vision and a strong leadership.
Key points
- The EFF has seen growth in membership despite the exodus of leaders and rivals.
- Maotwe defended the party's stance on immigration, stating that its message is clear and widely understood.
- The party is confident about its chances in the upcoming 4 November elections.
