After a tumultuous period of rising tensions with EFF leader Julius Malema, which caused their once-strong relationship to fall apart, former MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has finally left the Economic Freedom Fighters and party politics entirely.
As his relationship with Malema deteriorated due to his failure to notify him of Floyd Shivambu’s defection to the uMkhonto Wesizwe party, Ndlozi’s exit from the Red Berets was essentially carved in stone.
In an interview with Mzwandile Mbeje of the SABC, Ndlozi declared his intention to give the public closure on the issue. It was just not his place to tell Malema, Ndlozi claimed, and he stood by his decision to keep the information from him.
“I am not an informant, gossiper, or wedge driver, as suggested by the notion that I should have gone behind Shivambu’s back to tell others or the leadership. Floyd made the decision, he had to tell others about it, and he did,” he said.
Six weeks prior to the December elective conference, Ndlozi’s problems within the party started. It was nearly a given that he would place in the top five because of his widespread appeal and popularity inside the party, particularly among the younger generation.
But the party’s then-leadership chose to accuse him and prevent him from taking part at all.
Ndlozi said that the suspension was “unconventional” because it did not follow the EFF’s code of conduct.
See also: Goodbye, People’s Bae, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi leaves her position as an EFF MP
When he was charged, the leadership told him that they had an intelligence report that suggested he was part of the MK party’s infiltration effort. Ndlozi refuted the party’s allegations that he had been collaborating with former president Jacob Zuma’s party and planned to join them.
Naturally, I was instructed to stay at home, stop participating in Parliament, and stop all other EFF activities. It was crucial for me that they stated that the investigation was still ongoing and that I would have a chance to respond to these at a later time once it was completed.
Ndlozi claimed that despite the fact that the accusations against him were “dangerous and very serious,” he remained hopeful that the party’s investigation would clear him and that he would eventually be given a chance to present his case.
Despite his repeated attempts to contact the leadership, this had not yet occurred.
“I don’t think there is any interest, and I have personally let it go. The collective leadership’s attitude is very clear.”
After earning his PhD in Political Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2017, Ndlozi, who has a solid academic background, has subsequently stated a wish to use his degree to support academia and civil society.
He declared, “I have made the decision to leave party politics.” “I’m no longer with the EFF. My political views are left-leaning. I have resigned as a member because I am unable to remain a member of any party where I wish to attend and make a contribution.
Malema has publicly criticized EFF officials on multiple occasions for their silence throughout the party’s tumultuous periods.
There were indications that Ndlozi was being marginalized inside the party, even if he did not publicly address the situation.
“It seemed reasonable for me to wait and get my name cleared so that I don’t have to work with a gun in my face or a dark cloud over my head.”
Ndlozi claimed that the accusations against Shivambu were baseless, despite the fact that he was informed of his departure.
“I believe that the majority of the information they claim to have was false,” he stated.
Ndlozi refuted reports that he was joining the ANC and justified his silence over his political future by claiming that coming out would have unfavorable effects.
“I had spent the last eleven years of my life creating this organization and helping to ensure its stability, unity, and social influence. I did not want to ruin and upend it. That doesn’t interest me.
EFF leader Julius Malema and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi at the 2024 Freedom Day Community Meeting in Daveyton. (Image: OJ Koloti/Gallo Images)
“The economic emancipation movement has always piqued my interest.”
Shivambu left the party three months after its dismal performance in the 29 May 2024 national and provincial elections, where it secured only 9.52% of the vote — a 1.28% drop from 2019 — losing its position as the third-largest party in Parliament.
The May election results saw the EFF lose significant support in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
Speaking about the losses, Ndlozi referred to what he said was a miscalculated “tactic of entanglement between the EFF and the MK party”.
“It’s now a matter of public record that our leadership has been engaged with president Jacob Zuma as well as the MK party for a very long time, a long time ago. My count is that it has been the last three to four years.
“It is that tactic of entanglement that in my view was responsible for the heavy losses,” he said.
Several high-ranking EFF officials defected to the MK party after Shivambu did. Among them were controversial advocate Dali Mpofu, former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and former ANC spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi — all of whom were parachuted into senior positions. DMM
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