Malema rubbishes claims that EFF’s open border policy cost them votes

JOHANNESBURG – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has denied that its open border policy cost the party thousands of votes.

With over 99% of voting districts counted, more than 1.5 million South Africans voted for the red berets on the national ballot.

In the 2019 national and provincial elections, the EFF received over 1.8 million votes.

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There have been suggestions that the party’s ploy to open borders for economic trade was not well received by South Africans.

EFF leader Julius Malema said the advent of Former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party led to the electoral decline of the EFF.

He rubbished claims suggesting the party’s supporters were chased away by its open border policy, saying the EFF would not compromise on its values to please voters.

Malema said his political party would not be forced to adopt xenophobic policies.

"Foreign nationals don’t want to come here for the sake of coming here. They want jobs, they want greener pastures. We are a big country, and we have the capacity to develop their countries."

Malema claims the party is content with the number of votes it received, but appeared unhappy with some members of his party.

"Those who did not play any role in the election work of the EFF will not go to Parliament or the provincial legislature, even if their names appear higher on the list submitted before the elections."

The MK Party has taken the EFF’s spot as the country’s third biggest party.