Malema decries labelling of EFF as a cult, maintains reds berets are democratic

JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has hit back at critics who’ve labelled his party a cult, saying the EFF is one of the most democratic organisations in the country.

Malema, who has been president of the EFF since its inception in 2013, has often been accused of being a dictator by his political rivals.

He again dismissed the claims during the party’s 11th birthday anniversary in Northern Cape this past weekend.

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Critics of the EFF believe the organisation would not survive if Malema were to step down as the party's president.

Malema has again refuted such assertions, saying parties like ActionSA and even Mmusi Maimane’s Build One South Africa (BOSA) are far less democratic than the EFF.

“Mmusi Maimane has got his name in the name of the organisation, but Mmusi Maimane is not called a cult. Malema has got not ‘EFF Malema’, but he’s got a cult? Why? Because they want to destroy the person of Malema.”

Malema believes the wealthy elite have joined forces to exploit their economic influence to smear the reputation of his political party.

The EFF is set to elect new leaders at an elective conference in December.