Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has issued a stern warning to party members in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro – toe the party line or leave.
His warning came as provincial deputy chairman Litha Zibula from the NMBM was yesterday sworn in as the party’s new MPL at the Bhisho legislature.
Zibula, a Bachelor of Commerce Accounting graduate from the former University of Transkei, was sworn in by legislature speaker Noxolo Kiviet.
He replaces Themba Wele, who was expelled by his party late last year.
Zibula joins provincial chairman Siyabulela Peter as one of only two EFF MPLs in the Bhisho legislature.
Zibula was the EFF’s coordinator in the NMBM region until he was elected to the provincial deputy chair last July.
The married father of three daughters was also a business mentor for small businesses in the metro before channeling his focus into politics when the EFF was formed in the area.
But yesterday, Zibula’s party boss warned disgruntled EFF members in the Port Elizabeth-based region that they should leave if not happy.
Members had told the media that since the deployment of secretary-general Godrich Gardee, branches in the region had either collapsed or those that had survived were “factionalised”.
Gardee was deployed to the region last year after the EFF identified Nelson Mandela Metro as one its primary targets.
The regional structure was dissolved and replaced with a task team when Gardee arrived.
Some members, who did not want to be identified for fear of victimisation, said the task team was now creating parallel EFF structures across the metro.
Some staff based in the regional office have not been paid their February salaries.
“We do not know what is happening here. No one is coming forward to explain to the workers when they will get their salaries,” said another source.
Malema confirmed yesterday that the party was made aware of the complaints, saying he went to Port Elizabeth to address the concerns.
“We agreed on a solution and if they are approaching newspapers it means they are not happy with our resolutions and they are free to go,” said Malema.
In addition to targeting the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Malema said, the party was also looking to make inroads in Johannesburg, Polokwane and Tshwane.
Shape up or ship out, Malema tells EFF members
His warning came as provincial deputy chairman Litha Zibula from the NMBM was yesterday sworn in as the party’s new MPL at the Bhisho legislature.
Zibula, a Bachelor of Commerce Accounting graduate from the former University of Transkei, was sworn in by legislature speaker Noxolo Kiviet.
He replaces Themba Wele, who was expelled by his party late last year.
Zibula joins provincial chairman Siyabulela Peter as one of only two EFF MPLs in the Bhisho legislature.
Zibula was the EFF’s coordinator in the NMBM region until he was elected to the provincial deputy chair last July.
The married father of three daughters was also a business mentor for small businesses in the metro before channeling his focus into politics when the EFF was formed in the area.
But yesterday, Zibula’s party boss warned disgruntled EFF members in the Port Elizabeth-based region that they should leave if not happy.
Members had told the media that since the deployment of secretary-general Godrich Gardee, branches in the region had either collapsed or those that had survived were “factionalised”.
Gardee was deployed to the region last year after the EFF identified Nelson Mandela Metro as one its primary targets.
The regional structure was dissolved and replaced with a task team when Gardee arrived.
Some members, who did not want to be identified for fear of victimisation, said the task team was now creating parallel EFF structures across the metro.
Some staff based in the regional office have not been paid their February salaries.
“We do not know what is happening here. No one is coming forward to explain to the workers when they will get their salaries,” said another source.
Malema confirmed yesterday that the party was made aware of the complaints, saying he went to Port Elizabeth to address the concerns.
“We agreed on a solution and if they are approaching newspapers it means they are not happy with our resolutions and they are free to go,” said Malema.
In addition to targeting the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Malema said, the party was also looking to make inroads in Johannesburg, Polokwane and Tshwane.
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