ANC ‘open’ to Ndlozi joining party – Mbalula

This follows a report by the Mail & Guardian last week, which claimed that behind-the-scenes discussions were underway within the ANC in the Free State to bring Ndlozi into the fold.  

While Ndlozi has not resigned from the EFF entirely, he recently stepped down as an EFF Member of Parliament and was not re-elected to the party's central command team.

 His absence at the EFF’s third National People’s Assembly in December was reportedly due to a fallout with party leader Julius Malema.

The fallout stemmed from Ndlozi’s alleged failure to inform Malema about Floyd Shivambu’s rumoured plans to leave the party and for not defending the EFF publicly during a period of intense criticism.  

Addressing the media at Luthuli House on Monday, Mbalula hinted at the possibility of engagement with Ndlozi but emphasised that any decision would ultimately rest with Ndlozi himself.  

“He's a good member of society, and in the realm of politics, he's a good politician. So why not talk to him? At the end of the day, it's him who can make a decision about his future,” said Mbalula.  

Reflecting on Ndlozi’s departure from the EFF, Mbalula commented, “When his party ejects him like that, I mean, just kick somebody like Mbuyiseni out—it means, hey, Julius is powerful. Mbuyiseni is not just a small boy in politics. It's like in the ANC, if I dismiss [ANC spokesperson] Mahlengi, do you think I'm mad? I wouldn't do it.

I'd actually beg her to stay if she thought of jumping ship. But if you are powerful, you are powerful.”  

Mbalula suggested that the ANC could provide a platform for Ndlozi should he choose to leave the EFF.

“If he leaves his party, why not talk to him to join the ANC and contribute to the South African body politic? It looks like he was kicked out, showing he was of no value to his party.

“If he decides to remain in politics and pursue the agenda of transformation and the liberation of our people, the ANC is open to that. He can come.”  

Asked directly about ANC members allegedly engaging Ndlozi, Mbalula said, “I wouldn't say ANC members didn’t talk to him or aren’t engaging. It is possible.”  

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