MBOMBELA – Police have confirmed that they are investigating a complaint of public violence against the EFF’s secretary general Mr Godrich Gardee. According to Brig Selvy Mohlala, provincial police spokesman, a complaint was made against the national secretary after an EFF meeting in Masoyi on May 12 where he allegedly made utterances that could instigate public violence.
Ms Ayanda Tshabalala, the complainant, announced her resignation from the party on Monday along with eight other members. She was elected to the legislature in the general elections in May last year, a seat she had now given up. She called it a decision of principle.
During a press conference on Monday she listed the facts ”that have convinced me that leaving the EFF is the best decision for me, and other fellow fighters who have been mistreated and abused by this organisation”.
“In my letter of resignation I indicate to Julius (Malema) that it is this morphing of the EFF into an unrecognisable, treacherous, ugly formation – in his destructive hands that is the reason I neither want to contribute or be associated with it any longer. The EFF with its current trajectory has become a danger to the political fabric and economic stability of South Africa.”
The party had led two protest marches against alleged irregularities to Mbombela Local Municipality and the provincial government in the past month, but Tshabalala levelled various allegations against the provincial leadership.
She claimed that money had gone missing from the party’s legislature funds, that provincial leader Mr Collen Sedibe had signed blank cheques, that she had received complaints against party leaders allegedly taking money from government officials, in exchange not to reveal corrupt activities, and that sexual favours were solicited from female members.
“Internal democracy in the EFF is a fallacy. This is what has ruined the true spirit of fighters in the EFF. There is no room for robust, truthful engagements of matters that are meaningful to party and members. There exists no level of intellectual and meaningful debate.”
Tshabalala charged that they had sold out “the most cardinal pillar of economic freedom in our lifetime: Expropriation of land without compensation.”
Numerous cases have been reported to police against fellow party members. Former party spokesman, Mr Mpumeleo Masina who joined Tshabala in resigning this week, says the Hawks is investigating their claims. Business Day reported in February that provincial executive member Mr Cyril Chuene was arrested after allegedly taking a bribe to make a land claim go away.
Sedibe told Lowvelder’s sister publication Mpumalanga News that three people were out on bail for allegedly stealing from the party.
He added that the provincial leadership was not surprised by Tshabalala’s resignation. He rubbished the corruption allegations, denying ever being a signatory of the party’s bank accounts. “If they say I am corrupt, I challenge them to open charges or give proof,” he said.
The commander-in-chief Mr Julius Malema could not be reached for comment.
On Monday the party’s deputy president Mr Floyd Shivambu tweeted to his 105 000 followers:
