EFF-MK clash 'weakens radical left'

Amid the rumblings, scathing attacks and infighting within what earlier seemed to be the return of the South African political far-left, the EFF and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has found a tongue-in-cheek way of describing "the early crumbling of the marriage, due to mistrust".

- Brian Sokutu

This, as the growing schism between former comrades MK leader Jacob Zuma and EFF commander-in-chief Julius Malema has seen them drifting miles apart - far from reminiscing about sipping tea at Zuma's Nkandla homestead.

In what has marked an EFF-MK turning point - fuelled by the continued exodus of top EFF leaders to Zuma's party - Malema has this week launched an unprecedented attack on Zuma and his party, describing them as "enemies, inviting a fight" - calling for Nkandla to be attached.

Entering the fray, in a rare remark made by a member of the government of national unity (GNU), McKenzie said: "People say I am excited to be part of the government of national unity.

"They are wrong - I am very excited. The GNU will last its full term and beyond, while its foes' marriages are making an early collapse, due to lack of trust.