In a significant shift for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has officially resigned as a member of parliament, joining fellow EFF MP Yazini Tetyana in stepping down from their roles. The news has sent ripples through the political landscape as the EFF acknowledges the voluntary exits of these influential figures from their ranks.
The EFF expressed gratitude towards Ndlozi and Tetyana for their service in a statement, highlighting their commitment to the party since its inception in the legislative sphere. “The EFF has accepted the respective voluntary requests to be released from deployment of the two Fighters, who have diligently served the organisation in their respective deployments,” the statement revealed.
Ndlozi’s departure marks the end of a notable era; he has represented the EFF in parliament since 2024, where he was often viewed as a rising star within the party. However, the shadow of turmoil loomed as internal rifts began to surface, particularly in light of the fallout following Floyd Shivambu’s recent alignment with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).
Shivambu, who had previously been a prominent figure within the EFF, attempted to lure Ndlozi and others away to the newly formed MKP, describing Ndlozi as “a brother” shortly after asserting that there was no fraternal bond between him and EFF leader Julius Malema. This sudden shift has raised eyebrows and consecrated Ndlozi’s loyalty, leading to increasing speculation regarding his future within the EFF.
Amid these political machinations, Ndlozi faced both pressure and scrutiny within the party, especially as he is reported to have failed to defend the EFF vigorously, even against personal attacks. This culminated in his absence as a delegate at the 3rd National People’s Assembly, in which he was notably not re-elected into any leadership role. Malema, in his closing remarks, alluded to a growing misconception regarding individualism within the EFF, stating, “Those in the public domain have for more than a decade characterised the EFF as an organisation of an individual, which relies on individuals.” Such comments underscore the internal tensions that may have influenced Ndlozi’s resignation.
In a separate but equally riveting development, former President Jacob Zuma has put pressure on the African National Congress (ANC) to reinstate his membership by the end of the month, alleging his termination was unlawful. His threat to resort to legal action if his expulsion remains unaddressed adds another layer of complexity to the South African political scene, as tensions continue to mount within party lines.
Attempts to reach Ndlozi for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered, leaving many to speculate on his next steps.