Economic Freedom Fighters Solidify Stance and Rally Base Ahead of 12th Anniversary
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a prominent political party in South Africa, held a comprehensive press briefing outlining their upcoming 12th-anniversary celebrations and addressing a spectrum of pressing national issues. The briefing, led by party leader Julius Malema, served as a platform to critique the current government, reiterate the party’s core tenets, and mobilize its supporters for the next phase of their political struggle.
A Celebration of the People in Khayelitsha
A significant announcement was the relocation of the EFF’s 12th-anniversary celebration to Khayelitsha, Western Cape. This decision, prompted by devastating floods in the original location of eMthatha, Eastern Cape, was framed as an act of solidarity with the affected communities. The choice of Khayelitsha, the second-largest township in South Africa, is a symbolic one, intended to underscore the EFF’s commitment to the marginalized and impoverished communities that constitute its primary political base. The party has constructed a 10,000-capacity dome for the event, which is being billed as a “festival of the poor” to reflect on their 12-year journey of “struggle, survival, growth, and victories.” This anniversary is not merely a celebration, but a strategic move to highlight the party’s focus on economic empowerment, sovereignty, and enhanced state capacity.
A Scathing Critique of Governance and Economic Policy
The EFF’s founding principle—to challenge the shortcomings of the post-1994 democratic dispensation and champion economic freedom for the black majority—was a recurring theme throughout the briefing. The party voiced strong criticism of the 2024 elections, alleging a conspiracy of “billionaire-funded small parties” designed to fragment the black vote and steer the country towards the Democratic Alliance.
The party’s engagement in parliamentary and civic action was also highlighted. The EFF has organized nationwide pickets against a range of issues, including police brutality, crime, youth unemployment, and the privatization of essential services like water and healthcare. In parliament, they have actively opposed VAT increases, rising electricity prices, and what they deem to be irregular lottery license awards. A key achievement cited was their role in the establishment of a parliamentary committee to investigate criminal justice infiltration and their success in setting aside an illegally adopted fiscal framework for 2025.
The party’s core policy positions were reaffirmed, including the call for land expropriation without compensation, the nationalization of the Reserve Bank, the provision of free and decolonized education, a publicly funded healthcare system, and the establishment of a state-owned pharmaceutical company. The recent 12.7% electricity tariff increase by NERSA was condemned as an “assault on the working class and the poor,” and the national budget was rejected as “anti-poor,” characterized by austerity, increased borrowing, and regressive taxation.
Demands for Accountability in the Police and Justice System
A significant portion of the briefing was dedicated to the state of the police and the criminal justice system. The EFF welcomed the formation of an ad hoc committee to investigate allegations made by Lieutenant General Dlamini. Malema raised pointed questions about the handling of high-profile cases, suggesting political interference in the justice system. He alleged a power struggle within the police leadership, involving the Minister of Police and National Commissioner Masemola, which he characterized as “pure criminality” rather than a political issue.
Malema called for transparency from the ad hoc committee and any subsequent commission of inquiry, particularly concerning any potential cover-ups related to the Phala Phala incident. He was critical of the government’s handling of ministerial appointments, arguing that some officials should have been dismissed rather than placed on special leave to conserve national resources. He also expressed a lack of confidence in the acting police minister, describing him as “aloof” and “lost touch with the ground.”
In a strong statement on law enforcement, Malema asserted that police must respond decisively to criminal threats, controversially stating that if criminals shoot at police, the police must “shoot to kill.” He lauded General Mkwanazi for exposing corruption and advocated for his contract renewal and promotion to a national role. Malema also touched on the investigations into the killings of DJ Sumbody and AKA, implying that political favoritism had protected certain individuals involved in these cases.
Confidence in Future Growth
Looking ahead, the EFF expressed optimism about its growth prospects, particularly in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. Malema dismissed the notion that the MK party posed a significant threat to the EFF’s support base, asserting that the EFF’s ideological and political position is unique and cannot be replaced. The party’s ability to organize large-scale events across South Africa was presented as evidence of its organizational strength. The ultimate goal, as stated in the briefing, is to reaffirm the party’s commitment to economic freedom and to prepare for the 2026 local government elections.
In conclusion, the EFF’s press briefing was a multi-faceted event that combined celebration with a clear political message. It served to galvanize the party’s base, reiterate its core principles, and position itself as a formidable force in South African politics, committed to a radical transformation of the country’s economic and social landscape.