Durban -
The land issue has put a merger between the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the PAC on the cards. The two will campaign together and become one party after the elections.
PAC president Alton Mphethi told The Mercury on Sunday that the EFF had requested a merger.
“We agreed because we have 10 common principles, with land being the key issue,” he said.
Mphethi is the only PAC representative in the National Assembly. He said his party had 65 000 card-carrying members.
“Prior to the elections, the parties will co-operate and help each other during the campaigns,” he said.
Negotiations had started soon after EFF leader Julius Malema had approached him in December, Mphethi said.
“We initially wanted the merger to keep the PAC’s name, as it is popular and carries history. We also agreed that we would appoint an EFF member to be the face of elections,” he said.
However, time was against a merger before the elections. “We then agreed that we would campaign together, although we would contest the elections separately.”
The plan was for the
parties to hold a national congress after the elections to select leaders.
The congress would decide whether to retain one of the parties’ names or come up with a new name altogether.
The PAC and EFF were also negotiating with the Azanian People’s Organisation, he said.
When contacted for comment, EFF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlonzi said: “The PAC is the EFF’s friend in the revolution.”
EFF activist Nathi Phewa welcomed the merger.
“If you understand the PAC, you will know that we share the same policies. Even our commander-in-chief (Malema) said we are continuing with the struggle.
“Analysts such as Aubrey Matshiqi (a research fellow at the Helen Suzman Foundation) said what the EFF is talking about was started by the PAC,” said Phewa.
The Mercury