Julius Malema Sets Conditions for EFF Joining GNU, Says DA and FF Plus Must Leave First

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has indicated his party’s openness to joining the Government of National Unity (GNU), but only if the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus first exited the arrangement.

Malema made the remarks over the weekend during a door-to-door campaign in Naledi, Soweto, as parties intensify efforts ahead of the 4 November Local Government elections.

We are not opposed to participating in GNU. If Helen Zille walks tomorrow, and that other one of Correctional Services, the Freedom Front, Pieter Groenewald, walk, we’ll go inside.

Speaking about the possibility of entering the coalition government, Malema explained what it would take for that to happen. He emphasized that the EFF would not compromise its political principles to enter government.

Malema also rejected claims that the EFF was unsuitable for coalition government because of its political conduct, saying that the ANC had faced its own governance and accountability controversies. “The ANC is the most chaotic party,” Malema said.

His remarks followed comments by DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille, who said she would not enter a coalition with the EFF. Malema accused Zille of hostility towards the EFF, saying that the party could not be controlled by white political interests.