Durban - The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal reacted angrily to an accusation by the Economic Freedom Fighters that it was behind the rebellion by some of the Red Berets who were unhappy with, among other things, the disbanding of the provincial leadership.
“The EFF must accept its problems and not use the ANC as a scapegoat,” ANC provincial secretary, Super Zuma, said on Sunday.
He also said the breakaway party should rather respond to issues raised instead of dragging them into the party’s internal affairs.
“Where were we when they disbanded structures? We refuse, as the ANC, to be dragged into something that does not involve us,” he said.
Zuma made the comments after EFF acting national spokesman, Fana Mokoena, claimed on Sunday that they knew who was “sponsoring” the disgruntled members.
“Once more the ANC is bankrolling what they perceive to be a way of destroying their real opposition. The ANC must be ashamed,” Mokoena said.
On Saturday, disgruntled EFF members convened a policy conference in Durban where they discussed the disbanding of the provincial and regional structures, allegedly without consultation.
This took place amid growing unhappiness in the province over councillor lists, especially in eThekwini.
Mokoena also said the Red Berets would not tolerate ill-discipline.
“These members, by acting outside of the culture, structures, codes and processes they signed up for when they joined the EFF, effectively expelled themselves,” Mokoena said.
On Sunday, one of the disgruntled members, Mthandeni Zungu, said they were also demanding the suspension of deputy president Floyd Shivambu, deputy secretary-general Hlengiwe Hlophe and Marshal Dlamini, who was a deployee to the province.
He alleged the trio did not deliver what was required for elections, and had not provided resources to KZN for electoral purposes, though the IEC allocated budget.
“We can’t fold our arms and keep quiet about this issue of IEC,” said Zungu.
He also said they would not give up on the fight until the EFF responded. “Nobody will expel us. We are members in good standing.”
He insisted they wanted party leader Julius Malema not to address them via the media.
Zungu slammed Mokoena for claiming they were sponsored by the ANC.
“We need proof, something tangible, that we are sponsored before we can charge him. It is an insult to say we are sponsored by the ANC,” he added.
However, Mokoena said they would not respond to ill-disciplined members who did not understand the principles of the EFF.
“The EFF is not a home of position mongers, and we will not tolerate and support such a culture.”
He also said there were internal structures and processes to raise their concerns.
“We have seen the likes of the ‘Save the Soul of the EFF’ before, and they died a natural death because our mission is much bigger than these shenanigans of people who want positions at all costs, even selling their souls to the highest bidder,” Mokoena said.
Jackie Shandu, deputy chairman of the disbanded KZN EFF leadership, distanced themselves from the disgruntled members, saying they welcome the decision taken by national leaders.
“The decision is part of organisational renewal after the municipal elections. The vastness of KZN and Eastern Cape makes it difficult to influence the national politics if you have no string structures. So it makes sense to collapse the structures and start afresh.”