SASOLBURG – Love was not in the air for Free State political heavyweight April Motaung after the EFF dramatically axed him on Valentine’s Day.
The bombshell dropped during a gathering of party members following the Andries Tatane cleaning campaign in the area.
What was meant to be a routine mobilisation in Metsimaholo turned into a political execution, leaving the long, bittersweet relationship between Motaung and his party in shambles.
Standing before red-beret supporters, EFF Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini ironed the news.
“We had leaders here who thought they were bigger than the EFF. And we have demonstrated it now and again that there is no one who is bigger than the EFF. When you provoke the organisation, even when it’s patient with you, the EFF will take a decision against you, and you will lose,” said Dlamini.
“When members are starting to be entitled and arrogant, you can see that this is starting to be an infiltration. Starting to call programmes of the EFF by their names, calling themselves founders of this… founder of what? The programme is an EFF programme. You must never make that mistake! April Motaung is not a founder of anything,” he said.
Dlamini minced no words as he broke the news that Motaung and other members who were recently axed from the party are no longer members.
Selloane Motjeane, who once held the powerful corporate services portfolio, was also axed following corruption claims.
The former mayor has been linked to a series of questionable business dealings following the release of a scathing report by the Auditor General.
The latest blow comes from a hard-hitting letter dated July 16, 2025, from Dlamini, instructing her to vacate her post without delay.
“Selloane is not a member of the EFF. April Motaung, I have terminated his membership; he’s not a member of the EFF,” said Dlamini.
In a defiant Facebook post, Motaung claimed he first learnt of his termination through the media.
“After 13 years of serving in various structures and responsibilities within the EFF, my membership has been terminated. While this formal chapter with the EFF has closed, my mission remains unchanged. As I have always said, I am the same April Motaung of yesterday, today, and forever. A political card may be cancelled, but a lifelong vow to the people cannot be,” said Motaung.
