DA leader in Buffalo City defects to EFF

THE Economic Freedom Fighters in the Eastern Cape welcomed members of the Democratic Alliance into its fold at the weekend.

The EFF reported growing its base in Ward 46 in the Buffalo City Metro after "hundreds" of DA members defected. The ward comprises of Orange Grove, Leaches Bay, Greenfields and Sunnyridge.

The defectors, led by DA Ward 46 chairman Andile Gqitani, were welcomed to the EFF by provincial leader Themba Wele.

Gqitani said they left the DA for failing on its promises.

"Look, I loved working with the DA and at the time I was with them, I managed to recruit hundreds of people to join the party. But the people are asking me why the DA has neglected them and I now need to answer such questions.

"There is just no direction of what the future holds for our people with the DA," Gqitani said.

Provincial DA leader Athol Trollip yesterday said he was only aware of Gqitani's defection and not of the others.

"Yes, I can confirm Andile had informed the person who recruited him to the DA he is leaving for the EFF."

Trollip said the party did not receive many votes in that ward during the recent election.

"He [Gqitani] has every right to make that choice. This is the core of our democracy and we wish him well. However he must not think everyone in that area will follow him as those people are not his sheep."

Gqitani said many of those who joined the DA were disgruntled ANC members who left to "better their future". "It was the same old promises and we regret the bad choice of joining the DA," Gqitani said.

Wele said they were ecstatic about the decision to join the EFF.

"We are happy and I can tell you we are negotiating with some members within the ANC who are coming to join the EFF," he claimed.

Despite claiming hundreds had joined the EFF, Times Media managed to talk to only a few of those who had joined.

They were unable to produce membership cards and only had blue DA T-shirts.

Amos Nkosi was one of them. He said he had been a member of the DA for many years and during the last election he had voted for the DA to change his life.

"But that never happened, my life has been the same and I am worried if our people join the DA, they won't get anything done for them," Nkosi said.

Nongeniselo Steyi said her move would help her children's future. - Bongani Fuzile and Asanda Nini