The upcoming third elective conference of the Economic Freedom Fighters is poised to be a significant challenge for its founder, Julius Malema, following the departure of several key leaders from the party. As party members gear up for the conference taking place at Nasrec, south of Joburg this weekend, Zimoja looks at members of the central command team, the party's highest decision-making structure between conferences, who left the party, with most joining former President Jacob Zuma's MK Party.
FLOYD SHIVAMBU'S DEPARTURE
In August this year, EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu left the party and joined former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. Shivambu's departure from the party came as a surprise, reportedly stemming from a disagreement with Julius Malema. In a statement at the time, he reflected on the value of his experiences within the party. EFF leadership had a press conference where Malema said he was hurt by Shivambu's departure, as he viewed him as his brother and even said should he wish to come back, he was welcome to do so. A week later, Malema had changed his tune and said he felt a sense of relief when his former deputy left the party. "I don't know why, but it is not always that bad things will always produce bad results. Perhaps at times they do produce very good results," he said. He added: "I am doing very well. The leadership of the EFF remains intact. We are fine. We are rocking," he said during a TV interview.
RESIGNATION OF MPHO MORALANE
In September, Mpho Morolane, the head of the Economic Freedom Fighters' student wing, departed from the party. Morolane followed in Shvambu's footsteps and joined the MK Party. His resignation came on the heels of the party's disappointing performance in the elections held on May 29. Upon leaving, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities afforded to him during his tenure. Morolane made headlines in August when he said in a radio interview that he believed Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was best suited to lead the party to victory at the 2026 local government elections, meaning he was endorsing Ndlozi for the secretary-general position.
BUSISIWE MKHWEBANE'S EXIT
Former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, despite initially denying rumours of her departure, she officially left the EFF in October, a year after she joined the party. In a tweet in August, she said, "I will never betray the fighters of my political home." She also resigned as an EFF MP to join the MK Party.
FANA MOKOENA'S RESIGNATION FROM EFF AND PARLIAMENT
Actor-turned-politician Fana Mokoena resigned from the party not only from the EFF but also just days after Mkhwebane left the party. Mokoena also stepped down from his position in Parliament. He joined the party in 2013.
ADVOCATE DALI MPOFU ADDED SALT TO THE WOUND
As if the Economic Freedom Fighters had experienced enough pain, advocate Dali Mpofu also left the party for Jacob Zuma's MK party in November. Announcing his decision, Mpofu said there was no bad blood between him and Malema and that he had not informed him as his membership had lapsed. "There is no need to inform anyone at any particular time. There is no bad blood. I'll extend that courtesy after this announcement. I am sure our paths will meet in this difficult journey for unity. There is nothing personal at all. Nothing is being done against a particular person; it is something that I am doing for my people," Mpofu said. In the same week, the mass exodus continued when two senior members of the EFF tendered their resignations from the party. They sent their letters of resignation to party leader Malema, who accepted their resignation but did not state their reasons.
JULIUS MAINTAINS HIS BRAVADO
Although Julius Malema didn't want to reveal his actual feelings about the mass exodus of some of the people he started the party with, he appeared indifferent, insisting that anyone who wanted to leave the party could do so. "If anyone wants to leave the EFF, they must leave now,' he said. Although his party was bleeding from suffering so much loss, Julius was adamant that it was business as usual. This, while Mbuyiseni Ndlozi remained with the party but refused a position he'd been offered.
