Xiluva party leader Bongani Baloyi. Picture: Michel Bega
Former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party seems to be on a recruitment drive for high-profile politicians with former Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi likely to be the latest recruit.
Speaking to The Citizen, Baloyi was coy on details about his apparent move, saying all would be revealed later this week.
“It’s not Bongani Baloyi, it’s the entire party communicating. The party will clarify its position.”
When questioned about whether his Xiluva party will be merging with Zuma’s party, Baloyi said his position would be “communicated on Thursday”.
Over the weekend, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of parliament Mmabatho Mokause announced on social media that she has ditched the red berets to join Zuma’s party.
“I’ve joined the MK commanders in my hometown of Kuruman, Northern Cape, mobilising for the future and generations to come. Let us all do so in our province and beyond its borders. No surrender!!!!!!”
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Baloyi’s Xiluva party performed dismally in the 29 May national and provincial elections, getting only 2 500 votes.
Baloyi, after quitting the Democratic Alliance (DA), joined ActionSA. He later resigned from the party after an alleged conflict with leader Herman Mashaba.
ActionSA said there were “irreconcilable differences on the running of the provincial structures and a difference of opinion about policy issues”.
Last month, the EFF was dealt a massive blow when deputy president Floyd Shivambu announced his official resignation from the red berets to join the MK party.
Shivambu was joined by Mzwanele Manyi.
Malema said the pain of watching Shivambu leave the party was similar to the heartbreak he felt at the death of his mother. The pair founded the party in 2013.
“I felt the same pain as when I received the news of the passing away of my mother. Floyd to me is not just a comrade. He is a brother. He will remain a brother, even when he pursues his political career differently,” Malema said.
While the EFF’s constitution does not allow members to return once they have left, Malema said the door was open for Shivambu to come back if he wanted.
The red berets have reportedly been rocked by challenges following the recent national and provincial elections in May. The party was dealt a blow with the formation of the MK party pushing the EFF to the fourth most popular party in the country.
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