EFF supporters leave stadium disappointed
EFF supporters leave Risko Fakude Stadium after their leader did not show up for rally.
eMBALENHLE – Hundreds of supporters and members the the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were left disappointed when the party leader, Mr Julius Malema, did not show up at the party’s election rally at the Risko Fakude Stadium on Monday afternoon, 28 April.
This was after Mr Sipho Mbatha, national command team member who was supposed to be the main speaker, told them that the party leader will not be available.
The crowd hurled insults and shouted: “We want Malema!” while leaving the stadium.
An EFF member said: “Julius is like the face of the EFF.
“He should have dropped everything and come here, especially after the crowd had waited for him for hours.”
The rally was supposed to begin at 10am, but only began at about 1pm.
The regional leaders said in their press statement that was sent to the newspaper two weeks ago that the purpose of the rally was to deliver a “victorious people’s Manifesto to the people who, for years, have been yearning for a message of hope and change”.
They said members were going to be introduced to their Premier candidate for Mpumalanaga, Mr Collen Sedibe, who also did not attend the event.
A group of EFF members called the newspaper to the side and said they want to “set the record straight” about the “embarrassment” that took place.
They blamed the regional leaders for “sabotaging” the rally because they were told that Mr Malema was coming to address them and people will receive T-shirts and berets, but this never happened.
The members said each ward in the area contributed R200 towards the rally, but the leaders failed to get a good stage and sound system.
Mr Gcina Mofokeng, EFF regional convener, said what took place at the rally “was part of life” and this was a sign that people do love Mr Malema.
He said the party leader could not attend the event, because he was attending another rally in Kwaggafontein.
Mr Mofokeng said Mr Malema will be invited to the area before the general elections on 7 May for a “damage control exercise” during their door-to-door campaign.
Mr Mbatha left the stadium without addressing the few members that remained behind.
