Senior leaders of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have clarified why they do not want DA mayoral candidate,\u00a0Herman Mashaba, to take charge of South Africa’s economic hub.<\/p>\n
Julius Malema said in a media briefing on Wednesday that, while it would vote with\u00a0the DA in Joburg, the party objected to Mashaba as mayor.<\/p>\n
He told 702 on Wednesday that ANC mayoral candidate Parks Tau would definitely not be mayor, and although the EFF had strong objections to Mashaba, if he were to be elected, “so be it”.<\/p>\n
Malema said the EFF did not like Mashaba because “he hates his blackness” and because of his perceived disrespect for the poor.<\/p>\n
The EFF commander also said he believed that Mashaba did not have sufficient experience to govern Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
Read: DA announces coalitions with smaller parties<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking to News24 <\/a>earlier on Wednesday, Mashaba said if the DA asked him to step down, he would “do it yesterday”.<\/p>\n “How did they expect the DA to respond to something like this? I have been put through very rigorous processes and campaigned for more than 18 months. Maybe they know something we don’t know. Maybe the EFF has a valid reason for setting this condition. It’s just very awkward.”<\/p>\n DA leader Mmusi Maimane confirmed that the EFF had objected to voting with the DA for Mashaba, but added that he would remain the DA’s candidate.<\/p>\n Advocate Dali Mpofu National Chairperson of EFF told Radio 702<\/a> on Thursday morning that the EFF objected to Mashaba’s views on the advancement of black people in the country.<\/p>\n “I think he bought too much into the dogma of market fundamentalism, so we do not trust that he will be able to have a favourable look at the poor. I think he even once said that poor people cannot be trusted to lead, only rich people can lead.”<\/p>\n Mpofu said that perhaps Mashaba could clarify himself to set aside the fears of the EFF, “but right now we are quite wary of someone with those backward views being in charge of the economic hub of the country”.<\/p>\n Reporting with News24<\/a><\/p>\n EFF\u2019s priorities do not speak to municipal issues: DA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n EFF coalition demands included removal of Zuma and \u2018Die Stem\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Black like Me founder Herman Mashaba to run for Joburg mayor in 2016<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMore on politics<\/h3>\n