Julius Malema Addressing Funeral Service of the Late Moshe Mphahlele, the EFF Johannesburg Regional Deputy Secretary
By Lerato Mpembe
Lebowakgomo, Limpopo – On Friday, Julius Malema, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), delivered a stirring address at the funeral service of Moshe Mphahlele, the EFF Johannesburg Regional Deputy Secretary. In his speech, Malema described Mphahlele as a “perfect public servant” who remained steadfast in his commitment to his community. He revealed that Mphahlele was not simply killed during a protest but was “assassinated” because he challenged the authorities to provide proper housing for the people instead of evicting citizens after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funeral, held in Lebowakgomo, Limpopo, was attended by top EFF leaders, including Deputy President Floyd Shivambu, Secretary General Marshall Dlamini, and EFF CCT members Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and Thembi Msane. The party paid tribute to Mphahlele, describing him 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.
A Leader and Activist Remembered
Malema, addressing the mourners, expressed his deepest condolences to the Mphahlele royal family and the parents of Moshe Mphahlele. He emphasised that Mphahlele was a true warrior, whose life was taken by a regime opposed to the expropriation of land without compensation. “We are here because one of our own has passed on, a warrior has been killed by the regime opposed to expropriation of land without compensation,” Malema said. He stressed that the EFF only attends the funerals of the brave, never those of cowards, and that Mphahlele exemplified the qualities of a true public servant.
According to Malema, Mphahlele was assassinated because he refused to accept the eviction of citizens after the COVID-19 pandemic. “Why do you give them accommodation during Covid, and then after Covid, you evict them as if Covid gave birth to accommodation?” Malema questioned. He highlighted that Mphahlele was always on the side of the people, fighting against their exploitation and injustice.
Controversy and Calls for Justice
An autopsy report on Mphahlele showed that he died after being shot by rubber bullets and live ammunition. It is understood that Mphahlele was attempting to mediate between law enforcement and homeless people who sought to occupy empty government flats in the area when he was killed. The incident has sparked outrage, with Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, revealing that private security guards, with the support of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), used stun grenades and rubber bullets against the protesters. “Close to about five – 10 individuals sustained injuries, two individuals were shot with live ammunition, one of them was Councillor Mphahlele, who died on that day,” Tshwaku stated.
The tragic death of Moshe Mphahlele has led to widespread condemnation from EFF leaders. On Wednesday, during a memorial service in Alexandra, Johannesburg, EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu declared that Mphahlele’s death was not an act of God but a criminal act that requires accountability. Shivambu highlighted Mphahlele’s dedication to activism and community work, noting his significant contributions to the EFF since its inception in 2013, especially his role in securing high votes for the party in the 2016 Local Government Elections.
A Call to Action
In response to Mphahlele’s death, the EFF leadership has called for immediate action. Shivambu announced that instructions had been given to terminate the contracts of the security companies involved in the incident. He also called for a more disciplined JMPD to tackle the city’s high crime levels. Gauteng Provincial Chairperson Nkululeko Dunga issued a statement demanding the immediate allocation of container houses to residents in Alexandra. The EFF has also called for the suspension of the police officers involved and the removal of security companies from the area.
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” across Gauteng. 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.
As investigations into the incident continue, the EFF remains resolute in seeking justice for Mphahlele, ensuring that his legacy lives on in the ongoing struggle for the rights of South Africa’s most vulnerable communities.
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