The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), South Africa’s radical opposition party, is grappling with significant internal challenges following the defection of former EFF chairperson Dali Mpofu to ex-President Jacob Zuma’s party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK). Mpofu, a prominent advocate and former EFF leader, cited “soul-searching” and the need for “black and progressive unity” as motivations behind his decision, which he announced in a statement to local media.
Led by Julius Malema, the EFF has traditionally enjoyed strong support from South Africa’s youth, who are disillusioned by the slow pace of change since apartheid’s end in 1994. However, recent events signal a decline in the party’s influence. In the May general election, instead of advancing to second place as anticipated, the EFF slipped to fourth, losing votes to MK, which contested the election for the first time. Zuma, who staged a political comeback after his 2021 imprisonment for defying a corruption inquiry, spearheaded MK’s campaign, attracting former EFF loyalists.
Mpofu’s defection follows that of several other high-profile members, including Malema’s former deputy, Floyd Shivambu, and lawmakers Mzwanele Manyi and Busisiwe Mkhwebane. South African political analyst Sandile Swana attributes Mpofu’s shift to “political ambition,” noting MK’s larger base and quicker path to power. “MK is substantially bigger than the EFF; it offers a faster route to influence,” Swana remarked. Despite the losses, he suggested that the EFF might benefit from the departure of members he described as “unnecessary branches.”
In response, Malema expressed no surprise at Mpofu’s exit, acknowledging his former colleague’s decision on an EFF podcast. However, Shivambu, now aligned with MK, openly welcomed Mpofu, calling MK a “movement with superior ideological, political, and organizational capacity.” Mpofu himself, a key figure in the EFF’s early days, held the chairperson position from 2014 to 2019. Recently, he had focused on his legal practice, representing both the EFF and Zuma in government disputes.
The split reveals longstanding tensions in South Africa’s opposition landscape. Both the EFF and MK emerged from the African National Congress (ANC), which has led South Africa since the apartheid era ended. Mpofu, who spent over three decades as an ANC member before joining the EFF, claimed he and Zuma first discussed forming MK two years ago. Mpofu even admitted involvement in MK’s structural planning while still in the EFF, though he denied being a “double agent.”
Zuma’s influence appears closely tied to Mpofu’s decision, with Swana observing that the former EFF leader “saw better prospects with Zuma than with a ‘spring chicken’ like Malema.” Zuma, 82, remains a polarizing figure in South Africa, having served as president until 2018 when corruption scandals forced his resignation.
Malema, 43, faces challenges to his leadership amid whispers of discontent within the EFF. Political analyst Ongama Mtimka noted members’ dissatisfaction with Malema’s “dictatorial” approach to leadership succession. Despite the rumblings, Malema is expected to be re-elected unopposed at the EFF’s upcoming conference. Meanwhile, in a cryptic social media post, he alluded to the defections, remarking that some members “sing beautifully and are always willing to pose for pictures,” but added, “Their souls are long gone.”
Calling on remaining EFF members to stand firm, Malema emphasized, “We remain standing and are not going anywhere under a criminal syndicate.” The EFF’s future now appears uncertain as it navigates leadership conflicts and the lure of a rival movement driven by familiar faces.