Disgruntled members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) stormed the party’s Eastern Cape headquarters yesterday and announced a new leadership structure.
At midday, a group led by Andile Matshaya, claiming to be their spokesman, arrived at the offices in King William’s Town and demanded the keys and party documents from a receptionist.
The group then held a press briefing where it was announced that a new leadership structure will take over the reins of the provincial command team (PCT).
Current EFF convener and coordinator Vuyisile Schoeman and Simcelile Rubela arrived at the premises while the press briefing was in progress and called police to intervene.
About five police vehicles arrived and attempted to calm the escalating tensions among the members of the party.
Members from the two opposing groups hurled insults at each other.
Matshaya, who claimed to be representing all eight regions of the province, said the group resolved to take over the provincial premises and elect a new structure.
“It is a resolution and a decision that today we are taking over this office of the EFF and we are not afraid of that and we do not have any fears.”
He said they wanted the current structure, led by Schoeman and Rubela, out of office.
“Starting from today, I am the spokesperson. I am taking back the leadership that was led by Wele,” said a defiant Matshaya.
He further announced that Wele would assume the provincial leader position and his deputy will be Stanford Booi from the Alfred Nzo region. Nkululeko Gili from the OR Tambo region will be the new coordinator and his deputy will be Thembeka Ngxikolo from the Amathole region. He said the structure led by Rubela and Schoeman had failed the EFF in the province.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Schoeman accused Matshaya of not being a member of the EFF.
“This chaos is being led by Matshaya who is not even a member of the party.
“He is recently from DA and joined the EFF but his application was rejected on the basis that he is chaotic in all the branches,” Schoeman said.
When contacted for comment, EFF national leader Julius Malema said he was not aware of the situation. “I am on study leave. I’m not active in politics, contact the EFF spokesman,” he said.
EFF national spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was not available for comment at the time of going to print yesterday.
Despite Matshaya claiming that his group represented all regions, Buffalo City Metro (BCM) coordinator Zukisa Mseleni distanced the region from the incident.
“The only people that were there are from the Orange Grove ward, which is Wele’s ward,” Mseleni said.
Matshaya said the current leadership had initially been given until September 8 to ensure the province convened for an elective conference, but failed.
“A second date was given and they again failed to launch all the branches and regions. We only heard that BCM and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro will go to conference, even though those regions were launched with fraudulent branches,” Matshaya. — siphem@dispatch.co.za
Video: Pandemonium at EFF headquarters
At midday, a group led by Andile Matshaya, claiming to be their spokesman, arrived at the offices in King William’s Town and demanded the keys and party documents from a receptionist.
The group then held a press briefing where it was announced that a new leadership structure will take over the reins of the provincial command team (PCT).
Current EFF convener and coordinator Vuyisile Schoeman and Simcelile Rubela arrived at the premises while the press briefing was in progress and called police to intervene.
About five police vehicles arrived and attempted to calm the escalating tensions among the members of the party.
Members from the two opposing groups hurled insults at each other.
Matshaya, who claimed to be representing all eight regions of the province, said the group resolved to take over the provincial premises and elect a new structure.
“It is a resolution and a decision that today we are taking over this office of the EFF and we are not afraid of that and we do not have any fears.”
He said they wanted the current structure, led by Schoeman and Rubela, out of office.
“Starting from today, I am the spokesperson. I am taking back the leadership that was led by Wele,” said a defiant Matshaya.
He further announced that Wele would assume the provincial leader position and his deputy will be Stanford Booi from the Alfred Nzo region. Nkululeko Gili from the OR Tambo region will be the new coordinator and his deputy will be Thembeka Ngxikolo from the Amathole region. He said the structure led by Rubela and Schoeman had failed the EFF in the province.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Schoeman accused Matshaya of not being a member of the EFF.
“This chaos is being led by Matshaya who is not even a member of the party.
“He is recently from DA and joined the EFF but his application was rejected on the basis that he is chaotic in all the branches,” Schoeman said.
When contacted for comment, EFF national leader Julius Malema said he was not aware of the situation. “I am on study leave. I’m not active in politics, contact the EFF spokesman,” he said.
EFF national spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was not available for comment at the time of going to print yesterday.
Despite Matshaya claiming that his group represented all regions, Buffalo City Metro (BCM) coordinator Zukisa Mseleni distanced the region from the incident.
“The only people that were there are from the Orange Grove ward, which is Wele’s ward,” Mseleni said.
Matshaya said the current leadership had initially been given until September 8 to ensure the province convened for an elective conference, but failed.
“A second date was given and they again failed to launch all the branches and regions. We only heard that BCM and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro will go to conference, even though those regions were launched with fraudulent branches,” Matshaya. — siphem@dispatch.co.za
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