Birthday wishes for EFF divide DA leaders
The red berets will host their sixth anniversary celebration at the Kanyamazane stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday.
EFF’s Floyd Shivambu and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi share a word with Herman Mashaba. (File Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Felix Dlangamandla)
Democratic Alliance leaders Herman Mashaba, Bongani Baloyi, Michael Waters, and Ghaleb Cachalia found themselves on either side of the fence after the former two sent their well-wishes to the Economic Freedom Fighters as it celebrated its sixth birthday.
Though Mashaba and Baloyi were commended for their “political maturity”, Waters and Cachalia could not find themselves in agreement with their fellow leaders.
“The EFF have shaken SA politics. I may not agree with their policy positions but there is no way you can turn a blind eye on their impact. Happy birthday, fighters,” said Baloyi, to which Mashaba responded: “I fully share your South African political maturity and understanding. EFF has played such an important role in the current political landscape. Happy birthday to the EFF.”
I fully share your South African Political maturity and understanding. EFF has played such an important role in the current political landscape. Happy birthday to the EFF https://t.co/EjOmwJYZa7
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) July 22, 2019
But Waters, however, disagreed with Baloyi, and said his “flirtation” with the EFF was worrying.
“They are fascist. Would you wish the Nazi party a happy birthday? I think not. This flirtation with the EFF worries me,” he said, a sentiment that was supported by Cachalia, who also said: “I’ll have no truck with fascists… never have, never will.”
I’ll have no truck with fascists… never have, never will.
— ghaleb cachalia. MP (@GhalebCachalia) July 21, 2019
In response, Baloyi hit back at Waters and labelled him an “extremist” for comparing the EFF with the Nazis.
You are an extremist. Comparing the EFF with the Nazi’s that killed thousands of Jews…..really??? Your worries is a demonstration of your political insecurities. Let’s meet soon and talk about our understanding or lack there-off of political maturity. https://t.co/TSU3pyreKl
— Bongani Baloyi (@BonganiBaloyiEM) July 21, 2019
He tweeted: “Comparing the EFF with the Nazi’s that killed thousands of Jews…..really??? Your worries is a demonstration of your political insecurities. Let’s meet soon and talk about our understanding or lack thereof of political maturity.”
The EFF will host its sixth anniversary celebration at the Kanyamazane stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday.
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