Malema says EFF could join GNU if DA and FF Plus withdrew

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has said the party would be willing to join the Government of National Unity (GNU) if the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus leave, but insists the EFF is going into the November 4 elections to win.

The dispute has added to tensions between the two parties, which are both part of the GNU, as political parties campaign ahead of the November 4 local government elections. Malema’s remarks also followed comments by DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille, who said she would not enter a coalition with the EFF.

Malema said the EFF would not support a GNU that included parties he associated with the killing of liberation struggle figures Chris Hani and Solomon Mahlangu.

Helen Zille’s hatred of us is that we’re the only party which cannot be controlled by white people.

He also rejected claims that the EFF was unsuitable for coalition government because of its political conduct, pointing to the ANC’s own governance challenges.

They say they can’t work with chaotic parties, but the ANC is the most chaotic party.

Malema said the EFF was focused on winning the elections rather than speculating about possible coalition arrangements in metropolitan municipalities.

Well, we go to elections to win. I’m not in that space to think what happens after. I don’t know what’s going to happen.