‘Let the betrayers leave’ – Niehaus says after Mpofu’s move to MK party

Economic Freedom Fighters Member of Parliament (MP) Carl Niehaus has backed party leader Julius Malema’s statement on not being deterred by members who have defected to former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.

This comes after Advocate Dali Mpofu became the latest senior member to leave Malema’s EFF party to join Zuma’s MK party.

‘Let the betrayers leave’

The advocate, who served as the EFF’s national chairperson from 2014 to 2019, confirmed his departure in an interview with the SABC.

In a post on social media platform X (formally Twitter), Niehaus told Malema not to worry about members leaving the EFF.

“Thank you my CIC, President Julius S Malema, we will follow your clear and principled leadership. Let the betrayers leave, we are better off without them. I for one am going nowhere. I have made a clear, and unequivocal choice for the EFF South Africa.  The EFF is the only revolutionary home I can have.”

Malema unmoved

Malema was seemingly unflustered by the departure of Mpofu.

In a post on X, Malema indicated he is unmoved by Mpofu’s decision to quit the red berets, and anticipates that other senior leaders will soon be leaving. 

“Only two more of your [Shivambu’s] favourites remain, and the list will be finalised. They sing beautifully and are always willing to pose for pictures and sign roll calls, but remember, their souls are long gone. We remain standing and are not going anywhere under a criminal syndicate.”

ALSO READ: Dali Mpofu quits EFF, joins Jacob Zuma’s MK party [VIDEO]

Mpofu welcomed

MK party head of presidency Magasela Mzobe welcomed Mpofu to the party.  

“We welcome Advocate Dali Mpofu to the organisation whose aim is to unite all the progressive forces of revolutionary change. Advocate Mpofu has over the years demonstrated that he is a reliable, committed, humble, respectful and fearless fighter for justice and real emancipation.

“We believe that with the values that uMkhonto weSizwe espouses and upholds, Advocate Mpofu will be a perfect fit into the membership and leadership of our organisation,” Mzobe said.

Mpofu’s role in MK

Mzobe did not indicate what role Mpofu would play in the MK party.

“With the massive political, ideological and organisational experience that he possesses, we will as the leadership collective of uMkhonto weSizwe decide on the specific role he will play in the organisation.

“He is committed and has always been committed to the agenda of unification of all the progressive political formations and uMkhonto weSizwe is a perfect platform and movement for the unification of all the progressive forces for total emancipation,” Mzobe said.

Mpofu said that his departure was caused by personal issues with the EFF of Malema, adding that he had not yet spoken directly to Malema about his decision.

ALSO READ: Zuma’s MK party an ‘alternative for disgruntled ANC leaders’ – analyst