REFILWE MEKOA
Political analyst Theo Venter says Dali Mpofu might have joined Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for symbolic reasons.
He says Mpofu’s support for the EFF might bring more members to the party. On Sunday it was reported in the media that Mpofu has resigned after being an ANC member for 33 years to join the radical political party. Mpofu was reported saying he believed that radical policies were needed to help the poor.
Venter says Mpofu’s support with the Marikana miners’ case may have appeared as the champion for EFF members. Venter says for an advocate who thinks logically, he wonders how Mpofu deals with the radical outspoken group.
He says next year’s general elections are not about the number of high profile people the party has but the number of people who are willing to support the party on the ground level which is a big challenge for the EFF.
“Dali Mpofu is a big game for the EFF in terms of public imagine. He has been on TV a couple of times and the EFF is basically in the news every day. They maintain a very high media profile but I still want to see how that translates into votes in April next year,” he says.
Mpofu is currently at the Farlam Commission of Inquiry representing families of miners killed in a clash with police at Marikana last year. Mpofu was reported saying his decision was not based on his relationship or view of either President Jacob Zuma or Julius Malema.
