Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema recently issued a stern warning to journalists against asking him questions related to Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, the party’s head of political education, who was notably absent from the EFF’s elective conference.
When the conference opened on Friday, Ndlozi was one of the much-anticipated EFF figures who was conspicuously absent. An annoyed Malema told journalists on the sidelines of the EFF’s ongoing national people’s assembly in Nesrec, Soweto, that he would not answer questions about Ndlozi: “He is not here and it is not in our interest to encourage such nonsense.”
“I am not responsible for Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, 90% of the people who are here, the ones who were supposed to be here, are here, that is what matters. The one who is not here was not supposed to be here in the first place. So you will not reduce this organisation to an individual. We will refuse that,” Malema said.
In November, the Mail & Guardian reported that Ndlozi had been banned from all activities, including party meetings. This followed concerns raised within the EFF about his loyalty to the organisation due to his closeness to former deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who joined the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
Ndlozi has also been criticised by some party members for failing to defend the EFF during its difficult times when the Jacob Zuma-led party tried to recruit its members.
Last month, Malema assured EFF supporters outside the Constitutional Court that Ndlozi had renewed his party membership and was not going anywhere. He said no political party could claim him.
On a broader note, the EFF has decided not to reduce its conference to one individual. According to EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini, the assembly will demonstrate that no one is superior to the organisation.
A furious Malema questioned why the party should care about one person, as if the conference could not take place without Ndlozi. He reiterated that the matter was closed and refused to hear any further questions about Ndlozi.
He also clarified that no one had been prevented from running for office within the party, even if they were not physically present at the conference.
In conclusion, the focus must be on political issues and not on ego or the person, and the EFF wishes to reiterate that the party is bigger than any individual. The Ndlozi issue remains pending, but a firm decision has been taken and the organisation intends to abide by it.