
Image: Canva
An incident outside the Constitutional Court towards the end of last year, largely overlooked by the public and media, offers a telling glimpse into the moral decay and opportunism that have come to characterise the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in South African politics. Julius Malema, the leader of the party, publicly revealed that the EFF had instructed attorneys to attach Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home after the former president failed to repay a loan the party had provided to cover his legal expenses. At first glance, this may seem like a routine legal dispute, but the significance runs much deeper. The EFF, once the loudest critics of Zuma’s presidency, now finds itself in an uncomfortably close financial relationship with the very man they once denounced as a symbol of corruption and mismanagement. This situation highlights the party’s hypocrisy and raises serious questions about their principles and integrity. Rather than standing firm in their opposition to corruption and poor governance, the EFF has become enmeshed in the same political and financial networks they once vowed to dismantle. The dissonance between their past rhetoric and current actions cannot be ignored, making this incident a powerful symbol of the EFF’s transformation from a revolutionary movement to a politically opportunistic entity.
........
What began as a movement founded on the idea of challenging the entrenched political order, particularly the ANC’s dominance, has devolved into a platform for personal aggrandisement and opportunistic power grabs.
........
This episode is not a singular or isolated event, but part of a broader, more troubling trend that has marked the EFF’s evolution over the years. Since its formation, the party has abandoned its original promises of radical change and economic emancipation, opting instead for political theatrics, contradictory alliances and an unrelenting pursuit of power at any cost. What began as a movement founded on the idea of challenging the entrenched political order, particularly the ANC’s dominance, has devolved into a platform for personal aggrandisement and opportunistic power grabs. The party’s early promise to fight for the marginalised and disenfranchised, to push for economic justice and radical transformation, now appears hollow as the EFF increasingly adopts the very same tactics and alliances it once condemned. The events at the Constitutional Court, where the party took action against Zuma, may appear as an effort to hold the former president accountable, but they also reveal a party that is no longer committed to its core ideals. Instead of remaining a force for positive change, the EFF has allowed itself to become bogged down in personal and political manoeuvring, abandoning the very principles that first propelled them to prominence.
The EFF’s rise to prominence was marked by its vocal and relentless opposition to Jacob Zuma, particularly within the parliamentary arena. Under Malema’s leadership, the party took on Zuma’s government with fervour, accusing him of corruption, poor governance and a lack of accountability. Their central focus was the Nkandla scandal, which involved allegations that Zuma had used state funds to finance lavish upgrades to his private residence. The EFF, in particular, capitalised on this scandal by loudly demanding that Zuma “pay back the money” that was spent on the upgrades, portraying him as the epitome of the ANC’s corrupt and self-serving leadership. The party’s disruptive tactics in Parliament – disrupting proceedings with chants, walkouts and confrontations – were aimed not just at Zuma, but at the entire ANC establishment, whom they accused of failing to serve the interests of the South African people. The EFF’s bold, often combative style of opposition gained them widespread attention and positioned them as a significant force in the political landscape. Their actions in Parliament, while disruptive, were seen by many as a necessary counterweight to the ANC’s entrenched power, and they presented themselves as the voice of the people against corruption, inequality and poor governance. Their rise, marked by fiery rhetoric and physical confrontations in the chambers of Parliament, became emblematic of the party’s commitment to challenging the status quo and holding the political elite to account.
However, the EFF’s opposition to Zuma was not merely about pointing out his personal failings, but also about critiquing the broader structural issues within the ANC-led government. The party accused Zuma of enabling state capture, a process by which state institutions were allegedly manipulated for private gain, notably by the controversial Gupta family. The EFF’s fiery speeches and unapologetic rhetoric sought to expose the erosion of democratic principles and the undermining of the rule of law under Zuma’s leadership. For the EFF, the fight against Zuma became a symbol of their broader political agenda to challenge entrenched power structures, highlight systemic corruption and call for a radical overhaul of South Africa’s political and economic systems. The red overalls and berets worn by EFF members became synonymous with the party’s identity – representing solidarity with workers, the poor and the marginalised. These symbols, coupled with their strong anti-Zuma stance, helped the EFF carve out a niche for themselves as champions of economic justice and anti-corruption, appealing to South Africans disillusioned by the ANC’s inability to deliver on its promises. By positioning themselves as the foremost opponents of Zuma, the EFF sought to create a new political narrative, one focused on accountability and radical transformation that resonated with a broad section of the population.
........
The party’s decision to extend financial support to Zuma, coupled with their simultaneous attacks on Ramaphosa, reflects a growing pattern of opportunism that is rooted in political manoeuvring rather than principled leadership.
........
Despite their positioning themselves as steadfast opponents of corruption and unaccountable leadership, the EFF’s recent actions, particularly in relation to Jacob Zuma, suggest a more complex and less principled approach to politics. Julius Malema’s announcement that the party had instructed lawyers to seize Zuma’s Nkandla home for failing to repay the loan is a surprising development, given the EFF’s longstanding and public opposition to the former president. This move, which coincided with the party’s protest against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s involvement in the Phala Phala scandal, raises questions about the EFF’s motivations. While they claim to be holding Ramaphosa accountable for his alleged role in the theft of foreign currency from his game farm, their focus on Zuma – whom they once held up as a symbol of corruption – blurs the line between principle and political opportunism. The EFF’s dual focus on both Ramaphosa and Zuma suggests that their actions are less about promoting justice and more about advancing their own political power. The party’s approach to these two leaders, once bitter enemies, reveals the shifting dynamics of their political calculus and the increasingly opportunistic nature of their political strategy. In this context, it is difficult to discern whether the EFF is genuinely committed to fighting corruption or is simply using the political scandals of the day to further their own agenda.
The EFF’s embrace of Jacob Zuma, despite their years of vocal opposition to his presidency, underscores their moral and political decline. The party’s financial support of Zuma, once portrayed as a corrupt and self-serving leader, is a betrayal of the principles they once championed. Far from showing solidarity with the former president or strategically opposing Ramaphosa, the EFF’s financial entanglement with Zuma signals a party willing to discard its ideological convictions for short-term political advantage. Julius Malema and the EFF leadership have demonstrated a consistent pattern of shifting allegiances and rhetoric, revealing a deep lack of integrity. This willingness to align themselves with Zuma, a figure they once denounced as emblematic of political failure, betrays their earlier claims of being champions of accountability and justice. The party’s decision to extend financial support to Zuma, coupled with their simultaneous attacks on Ramaphosa, reflects a growing pattern of opportunism that is rooted in political manoeuvring rather than principled leadership. Rather than offering a vision for South Africa’s future, the EFF appears increasingly focused on short-term political gains and the cultivation of personal power, leaving behind a legacy of contradiction and unfulfilled promises.
This moral and political decline has not gone unnoticed. Over the past few months, the EFF’s failure to maintain a coherent political strategy, combined with a decline in public support, has become increasingly apparent. The theatrical disruptions in Parliament, once a hallmark of their political identity, now appear to be little more than hollow performances with little impact on the pressing issues facing South Africa – issues such as unemployment, inequality and poor service delivery. Internally, the EFF has been plagued by conflicts and divisions, and its once promising electoral prospects have begun to fade. The party’s membership has declined, and its influence within South Africa’s political landscape has waned. The EFF, once seen as a vibrant alternative to the ANC, is now mired in contradictions, caught between competing political interests and struggling to maintain its relevance. Instead of offering a vision for the country’s future, the EFF seems more focused on maintaining political theatre and personal spectacle. The party’s decline serves as a powerful reminder that politics devoid of principles is ultimately doomed to fail, as the weight of contradictions and opportunism ultimately leads to the erosion of public trust and political influence.
Sources:
EFF seeks remedial action against Zuma over legal costs. SABC News, 7 January 2025. https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/eff-seeks-remedial-action-against-zuma-over-legal-costs/
Guptas must go. Mail & Guardian, 4 February 2016. https://mg.co.za/article/2016-02-04-guptas-must-go-says-eff/
Economic Freedom Fighters became South Africa’s third largest political party in just 10 years. What’s behind its electoral success. The Conversation, 10 October 2023. https://theconversation.com/economic-freedom-fighters-became-south-africas-third-largest-political-party-in-just-10-years-whats-behind-its-electoral-success-213880
- Moegammad Tahier Kara is doing a master’s degree in the sociology of religious education under the supervision of Aslam Fataar. He is also a political strategist and development planner who works with governments and other political and social institutions to develop policy and formulate strategic plans.
Also read:
Our poisoned land: living in the shadows of Zuma’s keepers deur Jacques Pauw – ’n resensie
Election 2024: the Economic Freedom Fighters’ election manifesto