INANDA, KwaZulu-Natal — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) officially kicked off its KwaZulu-Natal provincial manifesto launch for the upcoming Local Government Elections at JL Dube Stadium, with party President Julius Malema expected to address the crowds. The high-profile event comes as the party seeks to rebuild its political support in eThekwini, following a challenging electoral landscape that saw its provincial vote drop to 2.38% in the 2024 General Elections.
The manifesto rollout was preceded by a tense morning marked by a heavy police deployment, including Tactical Response Team (TRT) units, following pre-rally clashes. Tensions flared between EFF supporters and followers of media personality Ngizwe Mchunu, who organized a competing heritage and music event just three kilometers away at Gugu Dlamini Park.
This is not the first time the two figures have found themselves at loggerheads. During the EFF’s 2024 national general election manifesto launch, Mchunu and his backers similarly staged opposing events in direct competition. The EFF has condemned the latest development as a “direct provocation,” alleging that Mchunu is being financially backed by certain individuals specifically tasked with ensuring the party’s political gatherings do not succeed.
Despite the morning’s commotion and reports of arrests—with several individuals seen in handcuffs for allegedly disturbing the event preparations—large crowds still gathered in strong numbers to show their support for the EFF. Law enforcement was required to actively separate the rival groups to ensure the safety and continuity of the proceedings.
The newly unveiled manifesto is set to outline the EFF’s strategic roadmap to regain ground in the region. This is particularly critical in eThekwini, where the party secured 24 seats during the 2021 municipal polls, and comes amid stiff competition in the province from the MK Party.
As the event prepared to officially commence at 1 p.m., the EFF Secretary General took to the stage to kick off the program. Supporters awaited the arrival of President Julius Malema, who was traveling from the Eastern Cape to deliver the keynote address and solidify the party’s vision for KwaZulu-Natal’s local government future.
