The Eff Will Fight To Regain Its Political Standing This Year

Last year was the Economic Freedom Fighters EFFs toughest since its formation in 2013, suffering electoral setbacks and the defection of a number of high-profile leaders to the uMkhonto weSizwe MK party.

The party set itself a programme for renewal at its National Peoples Assembly last month, aiming to rebuild both its structures and its morale ahead of next years local government elections.

Last year, the party grappled with its first electoral decline since it was formed, securing only 9.5 of the vote in the national election.

The defectors include the EFFs former deputy leader Floyd Shivambu, Dali Mpofu, Mzwanele Manyi and Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

These departures intensified internal discord, which threatened the partys stability by sparking a period of intense scrutiny of members, who were called upon to declare their allegiance to the EFF.