Durban - Phillip Mhlongo, the former leader of Cope in KwaZulu-Natal, has joined Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and already boasts some “battle scars” to prove it.
At the weekend, Mhlongo was attacked in Shobashobane on the South Coast, by people he believed to be ANC members.
He had gone to pay tribute at the monument for those who died during the Shobashobane massacre of 1995.
“A woman came to me and said that I had no right being there as I had not asked for permission from her family. She then started attacking me and was later joined by about five men - believed to be her brothers”.
Mhlongo, a former Umkhonto we Sizwe operative, was dragged over the ground, hit with bottles and stones and had his firearm stolen.
“They grabbed my EFF beret, saying I had no right to be there as I was an EFF member, but I held on to that beret and would not let go for dear life.”
Police spokesman, Colonel Jay Naicker, confirmed the incident, saying a woman had been arrested at the weekend and the firearm had been recovered.
“The suspect appeared in court on Monday on charges of assault and was released on R500 bail,” said Naicker.
ANC spokesman, Senzo Mkhize, said the ANC had also heard aout the alleged incident and had asked for a full report from its regional structure.
“We will look at the report and then decide whether we should take any action.
“According to information we have received this did not have anything to do with political intolerance, but nevertheless we condemn any acts of violence.”
Mhlongo believes it was an isolated incident and was grateful for the manner in which ANC provincial leaders handled the matter. He also believes the new party will surprise many at next year’s elections.
Speaking to the Daily News on Tuesday, Mhlongo said he believed the EFF would get 10 or 12 seats in the 80-seat provincial legislature.
Asked how this would be possible when even Cope managed to get only one seat in the KZN legislature after the 2009 elections, he said: “The situation is now different, you will recall that the situation was very hostile against Cope.”
Mhlongo said he would fight hard to ensure that EFF was not prevented from campaigning in any part of the province. “I am not afraid to die.”
He denied his decision to join the EFF was opportunistic, saying he would not personally gain anything and was not looking for any leadership position.
“In fact I have lost everything. As I am speaking to you I am selling my house in Newlands to build a new house in Groutville, where I have bought a site… Sometimes even my wife fights with me.
“Those who say I’m being opportunistic are the same people who compromise on principle so that they could land tenders. Phillip has never even had a tender worth R100.”
Mhlongo was once an adversary of Julius Malema, but believes the EFF leader has changed.
The decision to join Malema’s EFF first came after consultations with Cope leaders in the province who felt there should be co-operation with the EFF, he said. But after a judgment confirming Mosiuoa Lekota as leader of the party, Mhlongo said he had decided it was time to quit.
Now his loyalty “lies with the country and not with any party”, he said.
This weekend another high profile defection from the ANC was recorded when lawyer Dali Mpofu ditched the ruling party for the EFF.
Daily News