Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has reportedly ordered all of the party’s deputy mayors in KwaZulu-Natal to resign with immediate effect, leaving coalition partner Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in several councils.
According to the SABC, Malema wants the IFP removed from all municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal and in Gauteng.
This could lead to instability in the IFP-led coalition in KwaZulu-Natal where the two parties are working together against the African National Congress (ANC).
‘The EFF will not be relegated’
Malema accused the IFP of refusing to change, labeling them “collaborators of apartheid.”
“Here and now we say without fear of contradiction, all deputy mayors in the IFP must resign immediately and we no longer work with the IFP.
“We thought that apartheid collaborators have changed places, but it is very clear that they are not ready to change. The IFP must not get anything where we are involved, if you see a bad IFP leader, step aside,” Malema was quoted as saying by SABC on Saturday.
The EFF has deputy mayors in three district municipalities – Zululand, Amajuba and Uthukela and in five local municipalities – Dannhauser, Maphumulo, Nongoma, Umhlathuze and Mtubatuba.
also read: The EFF’s overtures to ANC KZN are part of a long game to get rid of Ramaphosa
EFF ‘dishonest’
Speaking to the Sunday Times, an IFP spokesperson said Prayer for deliverance he said he was not surprised by Malema’s words because the talks between the two parties had collapsed.
“There is no honesty for anything EF said. We will bring South Africans to the belief that this is happening.
“We are mindful of the implications of us losing some municipalities, but that is democracy, the party is on an upward growth trajectory, and we will recover,” said Hlengwa.
The EFF’s new move is expected to extend to the eThekhwini metro, whose coalition is led by the ANC.
Meanwhile, EFF provincial chairman Mongezi Twala blamed “corruption and arrogance of the IFP” for the coalition’s breakdown.
“We support them in 14 municipalities, our leaders are with them, but they seem arrogant, they act like they won directly.
They are corrupt, municipalities are broken in KwaZulu-Natal, they are on the verge of collapse in the IFP,” he told the publication.
The EFF, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year since its founding, held its annual plenum in Ekurhuleni to plan the political year ahead.
The issue of coalition in the council is suspended
Several municipalities hang after the stable 2021 local elections, so many are questioning the possibility of a multi-party coalition.
The country’s suspended metros – Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane have seen the leadership post change hands frequently as smaller parties re-model the kingship, fighting to be included in the governing structure.
Joburg Democratic Alliance (DA) councilor Mpho Phalatse was removed from the mayoral post in a move backed by the EFF and the ANC that saw the Al-Jama-Ah party take the mayoral chain.
With only three seats in the council, Al-Jamah-Ah council, Mayor Thapelo Ahmad now with the largest metro in the country.
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–Compiled by Getrude Makhafola