Prominent members dump Malema’s EFF to join McKenzie’s PA

Former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members of Parliament (MPs) Patrick Sindane and Kenny Motsamai have dumped the Red Berets for Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance (PA).

The two were formally introduced by PA deputy president Kenny Kunene in Johannesburg on Thursday, 11 July.

The two represented the EFF in the National Assembly following the 2019 polls. However, they were excluded from the candidate lists for both Parliament and provincial legislatures in the seventh administration.

The two former MPs claimed they were unhappy with the EFF’s position on illegal immigrants, expressing confidence the Patriotic Alliance would tighten the country’s borders, Eyewitness News reported.

Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene unveiling the new members Patrick Sindane and Kenny Motsamai. Image: X/@sindane3

Following the EFF’s dismal performance in the 29 May polls Malema has insisted that his party’s open border policy did not cost them votes. Instead, the MK Party caused EFF’s support to decline. the

The Red Berets are no longer the third-biggest political party in the country, as support for his party declined to 9%. 

Malema said they are unwilling to compromise a principle to please non-existent voters. 

“Our voters understand our message very well. Our open border policy is that we want Africa to be one, but you cannot do that before you develop the other economies of Africa,” Malema said. 

“These people don’t want to come here for the sake of coming here. They want jobs and greener pastures. We’re a big country, and we’ve got a huge capacity. So, we can develop their countries and develop out of that hugely,” the EFF leader added.

EFF leader Julius Malema says it’s not true that the ‘open border’ policy cost EFF many votes, adding that the party will not compromise a principle to please non-existing voters. Malema says 41% of South Africans voted for the ANC, which brought undocumented foreign nationals to… pic.twitter.com/QuuSpf3P9H

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 1, 2024

MAGASELA MZOBE JOINS THE JACOB ZUMA-LED MK PARTY

Earlier this week, MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela confirmed that Julius Malema’s former ally Magasela Mzobe has been appointed as the party’s head of presidency

Ndhlela said Mzobe will be instrumental in supporting Zuma in executing his duties and responsibilities.

“This appointment is also aimed at at enhancing the effectiveness of the presidency and to strengthen the organisation as a whole,” Ndhlela said.

In 2023, Mzobe ditched the ANC to join the Red Berets after his long-term service as he also served as national coordinator in the youth league task team that was set up after Malema was expelled.

IOL reported that Mzobe was once a dedicated member of the ANC and also served as a secretary general in Sasco in 2008, just before moving to the Newcastle mayor’s office and later to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS CAUSING THE EXODUS OF SENIOR LEADERS FROM THE EFF?

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