ANC is just using us, says EFF

The party ‘only wants to hold discussions with the Red Berets during times of political crisis’

- Mandisa Nyathi

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has accused the ANC of being disingenuous in its discussions with the party on the fiscal framework and the formation of a reconfigured government of national unity (GNU).

In an interview with the Mail & Guardian, EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the party met the ANC last Friday after being invited to discuss the budget impasse but said the talks were not sincere and held “at the last minute, when there’s a crisis or a need for votes”.

The meeting was intended to find alignment on the budget and fiscal framework passed in parliament early this month.

“They requested that we indicate where we agree or disagree with them, and we presented our own proposals, which we had already tabled with the standing committee on finance and sent to the minister of finance,” Thambo said.

The EFF was firm in its view that such talks were “futile”, given that the fiscal framework had already been adopted by parliament.

“It was quite clear to us that the engagement was not genuine,” Thambo said, adding that the party felt “used” as it was only approached when the ANC needed critical support: “There’s alack of trust.”

Thambo’s comments come in response to ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula, who accused the EFF of abandoning its pro-poor stance after the party voted with the Democratic Alliance (DA) against the fiscal framework in parliament and took the ANC-led government to court over the budget.

Mbalula said last week that the ANC had asked the EFF to abstain from the vote.