Vusumuzi Khoza, the EFF’s chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal, has finally broken his silence and addressed rumours that had been circulating about him having been forced out of the party.
Khoza said that while he was aware of the attempts to oust him, he had no intention of leaving the party.
“I confirm that I am not going anywhere,” he said.
“I will continue to serve the province against this division that has been occurring within the party.”
He also moved quickly to allay speculation that he had fallen out with EFF leader Julius Malema.
“There is no fallout between me and the commander-in-chief. These are all lies, made up by those with lazy minds who see smoke where there is no fire,” said Khoza.
City Press reported last week that Khoza and the EFF’s Gauteng chairperson, Mandisa Mashego, were facing the chop by the EFF faction that won the contest for positions at the party’s conference in December.
READ: EFF conference fallout: Malema’s ‘strategy is to frustrate people until they resign’
According to a source close to the matter, Mongezi Twala, the EFF’s deputy chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal, is set to replace Khoza.
When contacted for comment by City Press, Twala said these were mere allegations.
“People are entitled to their opinions, but these are allegations,” he said.
“They are not true and there is no such thing. Vusi is our elected chairperson for the current term of four years and will remain in that office. The talk of replacement is just a rumour.”
City Press understands that Mashego’s deputy, Itani Edwin Mukwevho, has been acting in place of Mashego.
The EFF said Mashego was on sick leave and had not resigned from her position.
Mashego’s communications manager, Lebogang Saul, could not confirm when she was likely to return.
“We are also not aware of how long she will be out of the office for, but we hope to assist you on the day she returns,” said Saul.
Both Mashego and Khoza had spoken out openly against the lack of democracy in the party during the build-up to its elective conference.
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