The Gauteng Economic Freedom Fighters chair, Nkululeko Dunga, has announced that the province has agreed to re-elect Julius Malema for a third term as the leader of the EFF. This decision was made during the party’s third national people’s assembly at Nesrec in Johannesburg. Dunga also mentioned that the province is considering former officials to fill the vacant position of deputy president, which was left empty when Floyd Shivambu moved to the uMkhonto weSizwe party.
While the final decision on who the province will support for the presidency will be discussed in a plenary session, it has been confirmed that Malema will retain his position as president. There is speculation that the province may support former secretary general Godrich Gardee for the position of deputy president.
It has been reported that the EFF is set to endorse Malema’s slate at the party’s elective conference. The slate includes Malema as president, Gardee as deputy president, Nontando Nolutshungu as chairperson, Omphile Maotwe as treasurer general, Marshall Dlamini as secretary general, and Leigh-Ann Mathys as deputy secretary general. However, there may be challenges within the party, with indications that Mathys could be contested by North West secretary Papikie Babuile.
There are also discussions about Dunga potentially challenging Maotwe for the position of treasurer general. Dunga, however, dismissed the speculation and stated that he has no interest in pursuing a top position at the national level, as he is focused on his role as a leader in Gauteng.
The party is expected to announce the newly elected top six officials on Saturday, revealing the outcome of the elections and the leadership structure of the EFF moving forward.
