Moshe Mphahlele
By Thabo Mosia
The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, will address the funeral service of the late Moshe Mphahlele, the EFF Johannesburg Regional Deputy Secretary and councillor, on Friday, 9 August 2024. The service will be held in Lebowakgomo, GaMphahlele, Limpopo.
Tribute to a Revolutionary Leader
The EFF has described Fighter Mphahlele as a revolutionary ground force and a dedicated community activist who devoted his life to improving the living conditions of the people of Johannesburg and Alexandra. Tragically, he lost his life while on revolutionary duty.
“Tomorrow we will bid a heartfelt farewell to a revolutionary and dedicated fighter. Mphahlele was a passionate regional leader who, through his unwavering commitment and influence, made a significant impact at the national level. He demonstrated that it’s possible to provide strong national leadership without being called a Commissar or official,” Malema said on X on Thursday.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The autopsy report on Mphahlele reveals that he died after being shot by rubber bullets and live ammunition. It is understood that Mphahlele was attempting to mediate between law enforcement agencies and homeless individuals who were trying to forcibly occupy empty government flats in the area.
During a media briefing on Thursday, Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, stated that private security guards had thrown stun grenades at the protestors. “The statement indicates JMPD stood behind the private security and allowed them to discharge the stun grenades and shoot rubber bullets at the protestors. Close to about five to ten individuals sustained injuries, two individuals were shot with live ammunition, one of them was councillor Mphahlele, who died on that day. Another one was a young boy in his early 20s, he was shot close to his heart,” said Tshwaku.
EFF’s Call for Accountability
EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu declared that Mphahlele’s death was not the will of God but a criminal act that must be held accountable. Shivambu made these remarks at a memorial service in Alexandra, Johannesburg, on Wednesday, following Mphahlele’s death during a peaceful community protest on Sunday, 4 August 2024.
The memorial service, held at Sankopano Community Centre, was attended by several senior EFF leaders, including Treasurer General Omphile Maotwe, Gauteng Provincial Chairperson Nkululeko Dunga, and Provincial Secretary Moshe Koma. Members of the EFF Central Command Team, including Commissars Vuyani Pambo, Thembi Msane, and Mgcini Tshwaku, were also present. The Speaker of Council in the City of Johannesburg, Margaret Arnolds, joined the gathering to pay her respects.
Shivambu highlighted Mphahlele’s dedication to activism and community work, stating, “He did not come for careerist purposes, he did not come because he was looking for a job, he came to be involved in activism and worked for the communities.” He also emphasised Mphahlele’s significant contributions to the EFF since its inception in 2013, particularly his role in securing the highest votes for the party in Ward 107 during the 2016 Local Government Elections.
Demands for Action and Justice
The EFF leadership has called for immediate action in response to Mphahlele’s death. Shivambu announced that instructions had been given to terminate the contracts of security companies guarding properties in Marlboro. He also stressed the need for a more disciplined Johannesburg Metro Police Department to address the high crime levels in the city.
Gauteng Provincial Chairperson Nkululeko Dunga issued a statement demanding the immediate allocation of container houses to needy residents in Alexandra. The EFF has also called for the suspension of police officers involved in the incident and the removal of security companies from the area.
Addressing Housing and Spatial Transformation
The tragic event has reignited discussions about housing allocation and spatial transformation in Johannesburg. Shivambu urged that Mphahlele’s death should serve as a “clarion call for real spatial transformation” in the city and throughout Gauteng.
Pursuing Justice and Honouring Legacy
As investigations into the incident continue, the EFF has vowed to pursue justice for Mphahlele and to honour his legacy by continuing the fight for economic freedom and equitable housing distribution. The party plans to table a motion in the City of Johannesburg Council to demand the immediate allocation of houses to the people of Alexandra.
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