By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Julius Sello Malema has been re-elected as President of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), marking his third term as leader of the red berets.
Malema was elected uncontested at the party’s third National People’s Assembly (NPA) in Johannesburg on Saturday night.
Godrich Gardee was elected as the party’s new deputy president – his was the only position that was contested.
A delegate from his home province, Mpumalanga, Esther Molepo, nominated herself for the position. She, however, did not meet the threshold.
Marshall Dlamini and Omphile Maotwe retained their positions of secretary-general and treasurer-general respectively.
Leigh-Ann Mathys was elected as the deputy secretary-general, while Nontando Nolutshungu is the new national chairperson.
President – Julius Malema
Deputy President – Godrich Gardee
Secretary General – Marshall Dlamini
Deputy Secretary – Leigh-Ann Matthys
Chairperson – Nontando Nulutshungu
Treasury General – Omphile Maotwe.
The delegates also elected additional members of the Central Command Team (CCT).
This includes Poppy Mailola who was the deputy secretary general and former National chairperson, Veronica Mente.
Other staunch Malema allies who returned to the all-powerful CCT include Vuyani Pambo, Mgcini Tshwaku and EFF Student Command boss Sihle Lonzi, who was officially promoted through direct election into the structure he previously belonged to on ex-officio basis.
In a lengthy election process that lasted well past 2am in the wee hours of Sunday and was a clean sweep by the dominant faction, popular Mlungisi Madonsela Battalion leader Mafia Fane shocked plenary when he declined nomination to the CCT despite overwhelming approval.