SOUTH Africa’s radical opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), appears to be on a downward spiral after another high-profile member defected to ex-President Jacob Zuma’s party.
Dali Mpofu, an advocate and former EFF chairperson, told local media that after much “soul-searching” he had decided to join uMhkonto weSizwe (MK), or Spear of the Nation.
“I believe it [MK] is the vehicle which will achieve the much needed black and progressive unity,” he said.
Led by the firebrand Julius Malema, the EFF had strong support among South Africa’s burgeoning young population frustrated with the slow pace of political and economic reforms since the end of the racist system of apartheid in 1994.
But the EFF suffered a major setback in the May general election when, instead of achieving its goal of rising from the country’s third biggest party to second, it dropped to fourth.
It lost support to MK, in the first election the party contested after its formation last year.
Zuma spearheaded the party’s campaign, making a dramatic comeback after he was imprisoned in 2021 for contempt of court over his refusal to co-operate with a judge-led inquiry into corruption during his presidency.
The two parties share similar economic policies – including the expropriation of white-owned land and the state ownership of mines and banks.
South African political analyst Sandile Swana told the BBC that Mpofu’s move was driven by “political ambition”.
“As it stands today, MK is substantially bigger than the EFF. If someone wants power, they have a quicker route with MK,” he said.
Mpofu’s defection follows that of Malema’s deputy, Floyd Shivambu, and two lawmakers, Mzwanele Manyi and Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Mr Swana said the EFF could benefit from this “pruning process”.
“The unnecessary branches are being cut off,” he said.
Responding to Mpodu’s defection on an EFF podcast, Malema said it did not come as a shock.
“We respect his decision,” he added.
But Shivambu, once the EFF leader’s right-hand man, rubbed salt into Malema’s wound, sharing a message on Instagram to welcome Mpofu into MK.
“Welcome Dali Mpofu to the movement which has superior ideological, political and organisational capacity, composure,” he wrote in a post.