![Magashule Hails EFF Leader: "Malema Is My Comrade"-SurgeZirc SA](https://surgezirc.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ace-Magashule.png)
Ace Magashule, a former ANC secretary-general, has confirmed seeing Julius Malema amid reports that the EFF leader is attempting to persuade him to join his party.
Magashule was kicked out of the ruling party after its national disciplinary committee determined that he violated the party’s constitution by “suspending” party president Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2021.
Malema told TimesLIVE that the EFF had approached Magashule about joining the party.
This Monday, Magashule told Newzroom Africa that he had not rejected the EFF.
“There was some information over the weekend that Ace Magashule is rejecting the EFF. I’ve never rejected the EFF,” he said.
“Julius Malema is my comrade — he’s right when he says they are engaging me.”
Magashule praised Malema, calling him an activist.
“Until the last years of my life, I will fight for blacks [because] I want black unity. I will fight for Africans, in particular, because we are the majority. I will fight that radical economic transformation must happen in our lifetime and that’s why I will support Malema and the others,” he said.
Magashule stated that he was still consulting with the ANC and had not created or joined another political party.
Last week, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said that the “ball is in Magashule’s court” and that the expulsion of any member brings the ruling party no joy.
“We don’t know what Magashule is planning — to form a party or to leave, or to appeal to the national executive committee, or anything of that sort.
“All we know and read is he said ‘the revolution continues’ and he will respond at an appropriate time. We don’t know what that response is. All we have seen is the mobilisation on the ground, which has failed, is the burning of ANC property and T-shirts in his name, which he has not condemned,” he said.
Malema stated that talks between Ace and the EFF are “at an advanced stage.”
“Electoral politics are politics of numbers. It’s important that you talk to everyone.
“I’m talking to the man. When I say I’m talking to the man, I mean the EFF is in advanced engagements with Magashule.”
He stated that an announcement would be made after the conversations were completed.