No Seat at the Table: Ndlozi’s Absence Sparks Leadership Doubts
EFF leader Julius Malema has made it clear that anyone absent from the party’s elective conference cannot be considered a leader, a statement that underscores the exclusion of senior Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member Mbuyiseni Ndlozi from the newly elected Central Command Team (CCT).
“Our leaders are here, you all know them, you nominated them for three hours. You cannot be leaving here and telling us about non-existing leaders,” Malema said during the conference.
“Anyone who is not elected by the province or by this conference is not a leader of the EFF,” he added.
The EFF held its National People’s Assembly (NPA) at the Nasrec Expo Centre this past weekend, where new leadership, including the CCT, was elected.
The CCT comprises 66 members, including the top six officials.
Ndlozi’s absence from the NPA 2024 has drawn attention, with Malema suggesting his exclusion stemmed from issues related to his “ego” and “betrayal” of the movement.
Ndlozi reportedly faced criticism for allegedly knowing about former deputy president Floyd Shivambu’s decision to leave the party for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party without informing Malema.
Shivambu’s resignation in August came as a shock to Malema, who expressed distrust in those who kept such information from him.
These developments have cast doubt on Ndlozi’s current role and standing within the EFF, a significant shift considering his previous prominence as a party leader and spokesperson.