BY NATHI OLIFANT SEPTEMBER 10 2016, 12:42
EFF leader Julius Malema addresses supporters in Etwatwa, near Benoni. Picture: REUTERS
IN A rare display of political affection, the South African Communist Party (SACP) in KwaZulu-Natal has commended the EFF for refusing to form a coalition with both the ANC and the DA in the country's big metros.
Delivering his political overview at the party's provincial council at eThekwini College's Asherville Campus in Durban on Saturday‚ KZN SACP secretary Themba Mthembu heaped praise on the EFF for its stance.
"To their credit the EFF has refused to form any coalition with either the ANC or the DA. Had it decided to form an unprincipled coalition with the ANC‚ all its work of exposing the ANC leadership would have been undone‚" said Mthembu.
"It is no doubt a blow for the ruling class who wanted to water down the militancy and radicalism of the EFF by chaining them in coalition with the DA‚" said Mthembu.
He said although the EFF did relatively well for a three-year-old party the main question they ought to ask themselves was why the party didn't do better.
"Why was the EFF not able to capitalise on the huge radicalisation and the declining authority of the ANC? Why was the party not seen as an alternative to the ANC by millions who are fed up with the [Jacob] Zuma presidency and the rest of the perceived corrupt gang running the party as it is claimed?" he questioned.
The provincial council was later joined by Congress of South African Trade Unions president Sdumo Dlamini, who snuck in unannounced.
SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande was also expected to address the provincial council which started on Friday and will wrap up its business on Sunday.