‘I unconditionally retreated’: expelled EFF member says he faces physical threats after online spat with Malema

01 November 2024 - 08:00
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Expelled University of Limpopo EFF SRC member Kganki Mphahlele.
Expelled University of Limpopo EFF SRC member Kganki Mphahlele.
Image: Kganki N. Mphahlele/ Facebook

The EFF's expelled former University of Limpopo SRC member Kganki Mphahlele has revealed he has received threats from individuals seeking to harm him physically.

This comes after his expulsion from the EFF student command (EFFSC) on Thursday.

The controversy began when Mphahlele engaged in an online spat with EFF leader Julius Malema, advocating for the party's MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi to become its next deputy president.

Mphahlele's challenge of Malema didn't sit well with the party leader, who responded with a cryptic “try me boys”, which Mphahlele challenged. The EFFSC then expelled him.

After this Mphahlele said: “We have received threats to our personal security. EFF politics should never reach the point where members fear harm or even death.

“Some of us do not wish to live under the constant threat of violence over what our party's internal politics have become.

“To those who want to physically harm me, I unconditionally retreat.”

Though he said he accepts his expulsion, he argued it was invalid, saying the EFFSC lacks the authority to expel members.

“While there are three official documents that guide our movement — the constitution, code of revolutionary conduct and deployment policy — nowhere in any of these is there a clause granting the EFFSC powers to expel a member outright.

“The EFFSC can only convene a disciplinary hearing and recommend expulsion to the EFF, making this expulsion constitutionally invalid.

“We will reluctantly accept it as this action appears less about ideological differences and more about a personal vendetta waged by the president and commander-in-chief of the EFF, Julius Malema, and his close followers who mislead him every now and then for benefits at the expense of the organisational growth.”

Despite being labelled an “MK agent,” Mphahlele said he remains committed to his principles.

“We make no apology for associating our political views with [former] president [Jacob] Zuma during his tenure as head of state. Regarding the MK Party, let it be clear: the MKP is merely a ballot adversary to the EFF, not a class enemy, unlike certain neoliberal partners in the so-called government of neoliberal unity.”

Mphahlele reiterated his support for Ndlozi as the next deputy president after Floyd Shivambu resigned.

“We firmly uphold our call for Dr Mbuyisenl Ndlozi to serve as the people's deputy president in the EFF. His intellect, unwavering principles and commitment to socialist ideals would strengthen the movement and refocus the people on the values that truly matter,  the absolute values of economic freedom in our lifetime as embodied in the EFF founding manifesto.”

TimesLIVE


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.