Former public protector and current Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of Parliament, Busisiswe Mkhwebane, is continuing her journey with Red Berets, moving quickly to assert that she has not quit the party.
Mkhwebane confirmed on Wednesday morning that she has not resigned the Julius Malema-led EFF, calling such rumours “fake news”.
“Rumours by SABC News about me leaving EFF are fake news. I will never betray the fighters – my political home,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Another EFF MP who was quick to dismiss any talk of an exit was Carl Niehaus.
He also said the SABC News was spreading “fake news” and demanded that they issue a correction and apology for their report.
“I remain a loyal member of the EFF and have absolutely no reason or intention to leave my party,” Niehaus wrote on X.
Ndlozi and Mente also out of EFF?
Mkhwebane and Niehaus’ statements come after news that EFF deputy president and co-founder Floyd Shivambu has reportedly resigned from the left-leaning party.
And Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday morning, citing sources, reported on the possible exit of former EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and incumbent national chairperson Veronica Mente. Both are also EFF MPs.
Last month, Ndlozi was touted as a possible candidate to replace Marshall Dlamini as the EFF’s secretary-general, when the party convenes its elective conference in December 2024.
“I think I must convene a meeting of all former presidents of EFFSC, including the current one. We must have a view on the EFF national people assembly. I will persuade them, if they agree, that a character like Mbuyiseni must come as an SG,” said former EFF Student Command president Mpho Morolane last month.
Late-night press release
The rumour mill went into overdrive in the early morning, when journalists woke up to a media release from the Red Berets that was sent out at 00:28, inviting them to an urgent press conference at 12:00 on Thursday at the party’s headquarters in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
“The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) invites members of the media to attend an urgent press conference today, which will be addressed by the EFF officials,” the vague media release read.