Malema announces parly EFF leadership

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.

Published Jun 1, 2014

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Cape Town - EFF leader Julius Malema on Sunday announced the names of his party's leadership in the National Assembly.

The Economic Freedom Fighters garnered well over 1.1 million votes in the May elections, winning 25 seats in the House.

Malema said the party's leadership had earlier on Sunday decided on the following deployments:

- Parliamentary leader: Julius Malema;

- Chief Whip: Floyd Shivambu;

- Whip: Hlengiwe Hlophe; and,

- Whip: Godrich Gardee;

It was further decided that Tebogo Mokwele would serve as Whip in the National Council of Provinces, where the EFF has six representatives.

Malema said his party's immediate focus would be on the mining sector.

“We will table a motion... that Parliament must get involved in finding a lasting solution in the platinum sector strike.”

He noted, in this regard, what he called the “well-meaning attitude” of newly appointed Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi.

“However, he will not enjoy the support of (President) Jacob Zuma's Cabinet, and nothing radical, including a long-lasting solution to the platinum strike, will emerge,” Malema warned.

This was because mining bosses were not willing to concede to the R12,500 a month wage that workers were demanding.

He said “mining capital” was well represented and its interests guarded by several in the presidency, including Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Speaker Baleka Mbete.

“The EFF reasserts its support for the workers' demands, and that we shall continue to fight for the nationalisation of our mineral resources to benefit mineworkers, mining communities and the industrialisation and diversification of our economy,” Malema said. - Sapa

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