Julius Malema is planning a nationwide tour to recruit disillusioned ANC supporters for his political platform, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). His first meeting will be on Saturday in Sasolburg, Free State, which saw disturbances earlier this year over poor service delivery. EFF already has conveners in Free State, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and North West to mobilise supporters in the run-up to their “national assembly” in Soweto at the end of this month. City Press’ sister publication, Rapport, has established that EFF is relying on the instability in the mining sector and the serious divisions in the ANC in North West, where the DA has taken over the Tlokwe municipality due to infighting among ANC councillors. According to the EFF’s convener in North West, Papiki Babuile, “disillusioned” ANC councillors who were kicked out because they supported the DA coup in Tlokwe have already contacted the EFF. Babuile said he was also “overrun” by calls from workers on Rustenburg’s platinum mines who want to know how they can join. He confirmed that some of them belong to Amcu, the union that has won over thousands of members of the National Union of Mineworkers, a trade union affiliated to ANC alliance partner Cosatu. “Most of the people phoning are mine workers. They want nationalisation (of mines). They are phoning because EFF talks their language,” Babuile said. Malema confirmed he will be speaking at the Zamdela Stadium in Sasolburg, and it was learnt on good authority that he is planning to travel across the country to address similar “mass meetings”. While it could benefit EFF to conclude a cooperation agreement with Amcu for next year’s general election, Malema said no formal discussions had been held. “But we’re going to invite them to Soweto. We will work with anyone who supports our goals. Even whites are welcome if they agree with expropriation (of land without compensation) and (mine) nationalisation,” Malema said.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 19:40:39 +0000
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