EFF member takes one of her own to court

Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) turned on each other in Kagiso recently where two warring factions picketed against each other.

The scene played out at Kagiso Magistrates’ Court where a West Rand regional leader appeared before Magistrate Donald Mosalakae on charges of common assault. The accused allegedly physically assaulted another female member. The case has been postponed to 21 October.

The incident happened on 25 August, when members of Ward 10 in Kagiso where informed of another faction trying to launch a branch without a full complement of the total branch constituency.

It is alleged that the faction, which the victim belonged to, raised their concerns, and the other group became furious and started insulting the opposition faction, leading to the accused assaulting the female member.

The court appearance created quite a hype. Some male and female EFF members were dressed in black in support of the victim as they picketed and toyi-toyied outside. While the leader’s faction was cramped inside the District Court 2, the warring factions started throwing insults at each other outside.

Some of the placards had slogans such as, “There are two kinds of males – those who stand up for women’s rights and cowards”; “Respect yourself by respecting other” and “Ikuku iyacelwa awuzithatheli”.

When approached for comment about the incident, the EFF West Rand Regional chairperson, Duncan Malindi, said the EFF does not support gender-based violence; however, they will await the outcome of the case before they can be in a position to comment.

“As an organisation, we as the EFF are not supportive of any gender-based violence. It will be proper that we allow the law to take its course. Pending the outcome of the case, we will be in a good position to act because the complainant has not submitted a formal report to the regional office,” Malindi said.