Possible absence of Malema likely to challenge EFF, says analyst

Political analyst Ongama Mtimka said Julius Malema's possible absence at the helm could present a significant challenge for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as it is confronted with leadership uncertainty.

This follows Malema’s sentencing to five years of direct imprisonment by the East London Magistrates in the Eastern Cape on Thursday.

Malema was found guilty of firing an assault rifle during the party’s event in Mdantsane in 2018.

He is currently out on warning after being granted leave to appeal his sentence.

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Mtimka said the party must now grapple with the real possibility of his absence.

“For the first time in its just over a decade history, the EFF is facing a time which there's uncertainty whether Julius Malema will be there and for how long. Because the question of Malema or not Malema is going to be available to lead the party hasn't lingered among the rank and file.”

Meanwhile, the EFF in Gauteng said it is not concerned about the impact of Malema’s conviction on its political future.

Spokesperson Dumisani Baleni said: “The EFF is an organisation that is not defined by Parliament we existed before Parliament. In fact, the majority of our programmes are outside Parliament.

“The president speaks and participates in Parliament once in a while. He is president of the EFF, of the masses that vote for the EFF and black people across the country, not in Parliament only.”