The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), South Africa’s second largest political party, has demanded the immediate dismissal of a senior cabinet minister, raising the stakes in a political crisis that threatens to derail a major British investment package. The party’s leader, Julius Malema, issued the ultimatum during a press conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday, accusing the minister of corruption and mismanagement in state infrastructure projects. The demand comes as the UK government signals that its proposed £1.3 billion investment in South African renewable energy and transport sectors is contingent on governance reforms.
The dispute centres on allegations of irregular procurement in the Department of Public Works, with the EFF claiming the minister authorised contracts worth millions of rand to politically connected firms. Malema stated that the party would withdraw its support for the governing African National Congress (ANC) on key parliamentary votes unless the minister is replaced within 10 days. The EFF holds 14% of seats in the National Assembly and is part of a coalition pact with the ANC to pass legislation.
British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson, confirmed on Monday that a delegation of UK investors had postponed their visit to Pretoria scheduled for next week. “The UK government remains committed to deepening economic ties with South Africa, but we require certainty that institutional safeguards and anti-corruption mechanisms are robust,” Phillipson said in a statement. The investment package, a cornerstone of post-Brexit trade strategy for Britain, includes a £500 million grant for solar power plants and £800 million in loans for port upgrades.
The ANC has tried to downplay the crisis. Party spokesperson Mahlodi Muofhe described the EFF’s demand as “political posturing” and urged the opposition to “prioritise national interest over electoral games”. However, a senior ANC source, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that losing EFF support could stall the government’s legislative agenda and “send a terrible signal to foreign investors”.
Market analysts have noted the rand’s depreciation against the dollar, falling 2.3% over the past week, partly attributed to political uncertainty. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s All Share Index dropped 1.8% in morning trading on Tuesday.
South Africa’s National Treasury has yet to comment formally on the standoff. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to meet with a delegation from the World Bank later this week to discuss alternative funding for infrastructure projects, should the UK deal collapse.
The EFF has scheduled a mass rally outside parliament for next Monday, threatening to “shut down” the legislature if their demand is not met. Political analysts see this as a high-risk strategy that could either consolidate the party’s support among disaffected voters or trigger a snap election if the ANC dissolves parliament to break the impasse.
The minister at the centre of the controversy has denied all allegations and said he would “neither resign nor be removed on the basis of unsubstantiated claims”. He has called for a parliamentary inquiry to clear his name, a move the EFF has rejected as a delay tactic.
