Challenge: EFF leader Julius Malema is facing opposition. (Rajesh Jantilal/AFP)
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema Julius Malema is likely to face open rebellion at the party’s elective conference next month as branch delegates threaten to challenge his slate and re-election as leader after his decision to suspend Mbuyiseni Ndlozi from the gathering.
Branches supporting Ndlozi’s rise to power plan to march to the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg next week to demand that his suspension is lifted ahead of the five-yearly conference. There they plan to defy Malema’s slate, which has chosen Godrich Gardee as deputy president, the position vacated by Floyd Shivambu in August.
Several branches, particularly those in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, are mobilising for a “revolt”, risking loss of membership, to send a message to the party’s top brass that the voices of members cannot be ignored.
“We cannot allow the leadership to continue making decisions behind closed doors that exclude the voices of the people.
“Ndlozi is the party’s future if we are to survive. We cannot let the commander-in-chief’s emotions delay the movement, so this suspension must be lifted or else we will move to removing him from the leadership post because he has lost the plot,” said one of the protest organisers.
It is understood some leaders approached secretary general Marshall Dlamini to ask him to explain the decision to suspend Ndlozi or risk further disorder.
“We are not happy with this noise that we are hearing on the ground about this situation … The concern is that the CIC’s [commander-in-chief’s] position is being discussed as well and that can be challenging because, if the ground members are not pleased with this action, a new last-minute slate can rise which will offset the balance that we are trying to build,” said one of the sources.
Leaders from the four provinces confirmed that they had requested a briefing from Dlamini.
“Our people are tired of being voting cows, which is why they refuse to endorse Malema’s slate or his re-election as our leader if he lets Ndlozi go.
“They want to protect him because, if Ndlozi leaves, there are no mature minds left in the party — then it’s over, which is why they are now leaving matters in our hands, even if it means they get expelled,” said one.
Although Ndlozi has indicated that he will not run for the deputy president position, his supporters argue his suspension appears to be a move by Malema to “neutralise” any potential challenge to his dominance.
There are growing suspicions Ndlozi could be next to leave the EFF.
Malema and his allies have criticised Ndlozi on social media and in interviews — without naming him — for his silence regarding the departure of Shivambu, former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, Mzwanele Manyi, former Limpopo chairperson Tshilidzi Maraga and KwaZulu-Natal provincial command team member Khumbulani Langa.
They have all defected to Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party.
Ndlozi’s silence led to his suspension from key party meetings, including those planning for the conference. He was also removed from his parliamentary position.
Mbuyiseni Ndlozi’s supporters plan a march to the party’s headquarters in Joburg. (EFF/X)
Parliamentary spokesperson Molapo Mathapo said he was unaware of Ndlozi’s removal from his parliamentary portfolio as the party’s representative.
But a senior EFF source said this would be announced at the party’s provincial general assembly on Sunday to quell rumours about Ndlozi leaving the party.
“The plan is to permanently get rid of the thorn that is Ndlozi out of the party, because he has been seen as a threat to the movement.
“[Ndlozi’s] silence is concerning and frustrating, even for me who is not choosing sides,” the source said.
“We do not know where he stands, and for someone who has been entrusted to defend the movement, he has failed, which is against the pillars of the party. That can be grounds for suspension, even expulsion.”
This is despite Ndlozi posting about his position in the party, through videos and photos on X.
Branches supporting Ndlozi argue that his continued presence would improve the party’s image.
“With local government elections around the corner [in 2026], we need a leader who can articulate the EFF’s vision to the people, someone who understands the struggles of the working class and the youth, which will earn us the votes we need.
Although Ndlozi enjoys support from the branches, Malema’s slate has firmly endorsed Gardee as second-in-command, despite many in the party arguing he “lacks the charisma and vision” needed to inspire people to rebuild the movement.
“Gardee is not the leader the EFF needs right now. He may have experience but he doesn’t have the same connection to the people as Ndlozi. The branches are not happy about this choice,” said a party member.
Another senior source said: “If Ndlozi were to attend the conference, it would provide a platform for him to rally support against Malema’s slate. By suspending him, they are hoping to neutralise him before the conference even begins.”
Despite the growing rebellion, Malema and his team of leaders have maintained control but provincial chairs are scrambling to ensure next week’s march is cancelled.
A senior Malema supporter said: “We are aware of this march and we are trying to make sure it doesn’t happen, which is why we expect the leaders to address our people to make sure they unite the branches ahead of the conference. We hope Commissar Dlamini gives us sufficient reasons behind this suspension.”