New leaders elected at EFF assemblies

THE Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Eastern Cape successfully held four regional assemblies at the weekend, electing new leaders to quell difficulties that arose in the province over the past year.

Regional conferences convened in OR Tambo, Buffalo City Metro, Alfred Nzo and Joe Gqabi are in preparation for the party’s provincial assembly.

Regional convener Fana Mokoena said in Qaukeni Village near Lusikisiki yesterday the EFF had “weakened” the ANC in the OR Tambo region.

“We have launched branches across the length and breadth of the Eastern Cape, the home of political intellect. We are taking the baton from where Nelson Mandela left off,” Mokoena said.

The new leadership has a huge task to mend fragmented relations between party members, after EFF member of the provincial legislature (MPL) Themba Wele was suspended from his Bhisho seat pending an investigation into his conduct.

EFF provincial administrator Mlungisi Rapolile said: “The assemblies were successful, fair, there was unity and it was a democratic process. On Saturday the deputy president [Floyd Shivambu] officiated at the Alfred Nzo assembly,” Rapolile said.

Rapolile presided over the Joe Gqabi assembly, EFF MP Fana Mokoena convened the OR Tambo assembly, and Rapolile alongside EFF deputy secretary-general Hlengiwe Hlophe launched the BCM region.

This week the party will be convening three more regional assemblies in Amathole, Cacadu and Chris Hani.

The party has already launched 400 branches across the province, with about 300 more to be launched after the provincial elective assembly on July 4 and 5.