By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Commander in Chief Julius Malema warns that South Africa’s upcoming local government elections could face foreign interference from the USA and the West, through propaganda, funding rivals, and destabilisation efforts, and urges resistance to protect national sovereignty.
Malema made the remarks while delivering his opening address at the party’s second plenum in Boksburg on Friday.
The plenum — a strategic planning meeting of the EFF constituted by the leaders from the central, provincial and regional command teams, as well as the EFF students’ command and members of parliament and provincial legislatures — will review resolutions from the party’s third national people’s assembly and finalise priorities for the year.
It comes as Malema awaits sentencing in April, after being convicted in a firearms trial last year, a development that has triggered internal discussions about leadership continuity, vote preparations and organisational stability before this year’s local government elections.
Malema was convicted last October in the East London Magistrate’s Court on charges linked to the discharge of a firearm at the EFF’s fifth anniversary rally in Mdantsane in 2018.
He said it has become clear that the Donald Trump administration has vested interests in South Africa, which he believes could undermine the country’s sovereignty.
Malema added that Pretoria must take all necessary steps to ensure it remains free from US influence.
He said the United States is pursuing the territorial division of the world in order to control global markets and give multinational corporations greater influence over natural resources.
“It is a nation led by a paranoid and possibly mentally ill individual who has no regard for international law, the logic of the economy or the science of politics,” he said.
“As a result, we are all faced with a crisis because for too long capitalism has been the dominant economic order of the world. As socialists, it is our duty at this moment to see the silver lining. As capitalism collapses, we are given an opportunity to usher in a new world order based on equality, prosperity for all and the return of the means of production to the hands of the people.”
Malema said Trump represents tyranny and fascism but is not a departure from the core character of the United States.
“The USA has always been imperialistic. The USA has always been a destabilising force in the world. What has changed is that the leader of the USA today pursues these destructive policies openly and without pretending to seek peace,” he said.
The EFF is seeking to strengthen its position in key metros, where coalition politics and governance instability have reshaped local government since the 2021 elections.
Party officials said youth structures and regional branches would play a key role in election preparations, with an emphasis on voter mobilisation and community engagement.
The plenum is set to review the implementation of resolutions adopted at the third national assembly including programmes to expand membership, consolidate branches and strengthen co-ordination between national, provincial and regional structures.