EFF’s reckless and irresponsible rhetoric must stop

There was a time when the EFF looked as though it might have a genuine contribution to make towards tackling South Africa’s problems, notably the corruption and nepotism that has corroded so many of the institutions of the democratic state and governance itself.

But after the EFF’s public enemy number one, former president Jacob Zuma, was forced backstage and Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency got under way, the fighters found themselves on something of a back foot.

Recently, the image of the party was dented by news reports that some of its leaders were accused of unethical financial gain from the now collapsed VBS Mutual Bank, where some R2bn belonging to councils, stokvels and poor people was stolen – reports vehemently denied by EFF leader Julius Malema.

The EFF’s conduct in recent weeks has seemed less informed by principle than by a desperate need for a sleight of hand to distract public attention.

State enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan last week provided an in-depth account of state capture to the Zondo Commission.

However, rather than contribute to the work of the inquiry, the party that used to chant “pay back the money” opted to noisily demonstrate in the streets outside the commission hearing. That Gordhan and the commission have become prime targets for the EFF and that the party has chosen to throw its weight behind the likes of axed Sars boss Tom Moyane and former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama is, on the face of it, bizarre. It may well be that the EFF is pursuing a high-risk strategy of aligning itself with the fightback push by the Zuma camp against Ramaphosa, and particularly against the president’s cleanup campaign. That is its prerogative.

However the inflammatory language that EFF leaders have used to attack Gordhan, commission officials and some journalists has been vintage EFF at its populist worst – a brew of racist sentiment, unsubstantiated allegations and threatened violence. This type of wild rhetoric is irresponsible and unacceptable and needs to stop now.

In the interests of the country, the EFF needs to contribute positively to public discourse.

But whether Malema has this country’s interests at heart is another story altogether.

In the interests of the country, the EFF needs to contribute positively to public discourse