Johannesburg - People support the EFF because of its policies and not because they are against President Jacob Zuma, party leader Julius Malema said on Monday.
“People don't support the Economic Freedom Fighters because of that induna,” Malema said, referring to Zuma.
“They support EFF because of its sound policies.”
He was responding to a question on the social networking site Twitter on whether he thought the EFF would lose supporters if Zuma was removed.
Malema held an online chat for a short while on Monday where he responded to questions posted on Facebook and Twitter.
Asked if he would ever allow people of the African National Congress leadership to join his party, Malema said: “Everyone is welcome to join EFF as long as they agree with our policies.”
Malema, once the leader of the ANC Youth League, was booted out of the party two years ago.
While involved in the party, he went as far as saying he would kill for Zuma.
Since his expulsion, he has often criticised the ruling party.
During the online chat on Monday, he said it had been a “waste of time” to support Zuma.
He said Zuma was not good for the economy or the growth of the country.
With exactly a month to go before the national elections, Malema said unlike the ANC, his party would be accountable and would take its mandate from its people.
During the discussion, he said he did not support electronic tolling, and wanted it removed.
“We're going to physically remove e-tolls because we don't agree with them,” Malema said on his Twitter account.
The comment had been retweeted 15 times by the end of the chat.
Sapa