Johannesburg – Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, a founding member and prominent Member of Parliament for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is reportedly being pushed out of the party as he faces barring from its upcoming national conference.
Scheduled for 13–15 December at Nasrec, Johannesburg, this assembly will elect new leadership, including a deputy president to fill the vacancy left by Floyd Shivambu’s recent departure to join the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP).
The EFF leadership appears to view Ndlozi’s presence at the conference as a serious threat. Insiders have claimed that party leaders believe he might "just be playing politics so that he can contest." Despite Ndlozi's public statements indicating he would not seek any leadership position, many younger and more rebellious EFF members have been vocal in their support for him, hoping he might change his mind. However, the leadership has opted for caution, deciding to bar him from attending.
This week, speculation intensified regarding Ndlozi's status within the party, particularly as he has not participated in key EFF meetings over the past two weeks. Some party members suspect that the leadership has not been entirely transparent about his absence. “It is clear that Ndlozi has been banned from attending the national people’s assembly. We also suspect that he has been suspended, but the party decided to keep it under wraps,” a source revealed.
The ambiguity surrounding Ndlozi’s situation has raised numerous questions. His unexplained absence from significant events, including the recent two-day meeting of the central command team (CCT) and the war council gathering, has left members concerned.
“Attending all these meetings is very important for any leader of the party. But recently he has not attended them, and no word has been uttered about it because when a leader fails to attend, an apology is normally sent,” the source explained.
Compounding the situation, Ndlozi was removed from the parliamentary portfolio committee on trade, industry and competition last month. This committee has garnered attention due to its handling of the contentious awarding of the next national lottery operator contract, which has been delayed amidst allegations of conflicts of interest among bidders.
Despite the current turmoil, insiders assert that Ndlozi is unlikely to leave the EFF voluntarily.
“One thing that we know for sure is that Ndlozi is not leaving the EFF, unless they expel him. But even expelling him would need a reason. And so far, he has not done anything that we can say warrants such action against him,” said the source.
Rumours of Ndlozi’s exclusion from party activities have sparked mixed reactions from EFF members and supporters. Social media user Azania expressed disbelief, stating, “Oh, wow, Dr Ndlozi was indirectly suspended. He is barred from attending EFF committee meetings or participating in any of the EFF gatherings.”
The situation has further escalated, particularly following Shivambu’s resignation and subsequent move to the MKP. Many within the party have speculated about Ndlozi’s future, with some leaders anxiously watching to see if he would also consider leaving. His perceived silence after Shivambu's exit has not gone unnoticed.
“They wanted him to attack Shivambu but he has never said anything about it, which angered them. When he did not speak out about Shivambu’s departure to join the MKP, they accused him of selling out,” the source explained.
In light of these developments, EFF leader Julius Malema has made comments interpreted as veiled attacks on Ndlozi. During an address to the Gauteng provincial ground forces forum in Soweto, Malema urged leaders who were merely waiting for the party's third national assembly to leave immediately, echoing sentiments that many believe were directed at Ndlozi. Malema’s social media activity has also drawn scrutiny, especially a post that seemed to reference Ndlozi’s partner, activist Mmabatho Montsho, who had liked Shivambu’s post on Instagram.
“Last week, City Press reported that Ndlozi had rejected the call from various lobby groups to contest for the position. But he was not willing to leave the party,” a source noted.
The party hierarchy seems to favour former secretary Godrich Gardee for the deputy presidency, a choice that has not gone unnoticed among younger EFF members who are more supportive of Ndlozi. “Many branches have not given up hope that they would convince him to contest for the top position,” the insider mentioned.
As the party prepares for the upcoming conference, the dynamics within the EFF have become increasingly complex, with factions emerging as leaders vie for influence. Sources suggest that the outcome of the conference may already be predetermined, as Malema has been seen endorsing certain candidates through social media retweets. For instance, when a user posted Gardee as the incoming deputy president, Malema retweeted that post, which many interpreted as an endorsement.
In the midst of this turmoil, both Ndlozi and EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys have not responded to requests for comment. As the national conference approaches, Ndlozi's future within the party remains uncertain, leaving many EFF members and supporters to ponder the implications of his potential exclusion from leadership.
