Julius Malema may be removed as EFF leader next month – but he’s not scared

We’ve had to wait a few months, but these EFF press conferences are always worth their weight in gold. Julius Malema has addressed a myriad of issues on Thursday, ranging from his criticism of the new Eskom CEO to his declaration that the Red Berets will field a candidate for the vacant Mayor of Johannesburg role.

However, with the EFF’s National People’s Assembly on the horizon next month, the CIC himself isn’t immune to finding himself pushed out of a job. In typically robust fashion, he addressed suspicions that his leadership could be challenged during the conference.

Could Julius Malema be voted out as the Red Berets’ leader?

Although he conceded that his removal as the party’s leader was a slight possibility, he also stated that he is not scared of anyone trying to dethrone him. Julius Malema also confirmed he had considered life after the EFF’s top job, vowing to “die in politics” and serve the rest of his life in the industry:

“I’m not scared of a leadership challenge. Those who think they can beat me, come here and sit where I’m sat. I won’t allow a mushrooming of organisations that will all be judged on what I do. There is one EFF and it is being commanded from a central point. You call me a dictator, and a cult-leader. You either say our people are fighting in a contest, or just following what Malema says. We cannot win.”

My next move will be in politics. I will always be in politics, I will die in politics. If I’m removed as leader in December, I’m still a member of Parliament and will make my contribution there. But I have never lost a conference in my life. Things happen exactly how I predict them.”

Julius Malema

EFF Elective Conference 2019

Malema also seemed concerned by claims that people contesting certain posts in the EFF were receiving money in return for disrupting the balance of the party. The CIC said he was aware of “money being sent to individuals” ahead of December’s conference. Although the prospect is unlikely, Julius Malema isn’t ruling out a defeat in a shock leadership challenge. The NPA will take place from 13 – 16 December.

#EFFPresser Malema: There is contestations, I am aware of the discussions and individuals being sent money. We know the people that are going to send money because we completely discourage money.

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 21, 2019