EFF vow to fight for poor in the region
THE new kid on the block in local government politics – the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – has thanked the people of Chris Hani district for their support during the August 3 polls, vowing it would hold all thieving councillors to account – on behalf of the poor.
Party representatives were speaking at a Wednesday press briefing at their new offices in Komani Street. The briefing was headed up by the party’s Chris Hani regional secretary, Wonga Dunjwa, and central command team member and Chris Hani region deployee member, Zolile Xalisa. He said the party had contested all the wards in the area and had shown growth in the Chris Hani area, since the 2014 general elections, growing from 6000 votes to 34 000 last week. He said the party had six seats in Enoch Mgijima, three in Intsika Yethu, two Engcobo and one in Sakhisizwe and Emalahleni respectively.
“We hope our PR councillors will make a difference in their respective councils. But as history has shown, it doesn’t matter how many we are as the EFF, but where we are, we fight for the poor people. We will expose corruption.”
Xalisa said voters showed they had little faith in the ANC and the EFF would go back to strengthen its branches in preparation for the 2019 general elections.
He said he did not want to see the EFF enter into a coalition with the “white privilege” DA and the “neo liberal” ANC, adding the latter was dying a slow death.
“We have no interest in ruling with them but we want people to get services. Perhaps if they respect our seven cardinal pillars we can govern with them.”
Xalisa said that the final EFF national executive decision would be communicated by the office of its president, Julius Malema, after the structure’s meeting and would be communicated to the media. The EFF was said to be a kingmaker in the Nelson Mandela Bay, Tshwane and Johannesburg metros.
Dunjwa said doomsayers had predicted EFF would die after the 2014 elections, but it had instead shown growth. “Without our ground forces who did door-to-door campaigns and the voters, we would not be where we are. We will ensure EFF councillors wear their work suits and gumboots to the swearing-in council meeting.”