The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has dismissed speculation that former MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi could return as its mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg, saying its immediate focus is on mobilising voters ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini rejected claims that the party is in discussions with Ndlozi, stating: “There’s no such thing. There’s no discussion like that.”
Focus shifts to voter mobilisation
The party is preparing to launch a nationwide voter registration campaign, with a rally scheduled at its Johannesburg headquarters in Marshalltown. The initiative forms part of its broader strategy to increase voter participation ahead of the 2026 polls.
Dlamini said the EFF is prioritising organisational readiness and consultation rather than rushing to announce candidates.
“You don’t want to be reactive and follow other political parties. We are guided by our own programme and internal processes,” he said.
Competitive race taking shape
Political parties have begun positioning themselves in key Gauteng metros, with Johannesburg expected to be one of the most contested.
So far, confirmed or declared candidates include:
Herman Mashaba (ActionSA), a former Johannesburg mayor
Helen Zille (Democratic Alliance federal council chairperson)
Kenny Kunene, the city’s MMC for transport
The African National Congress (ANC) has yet to confirm whether incumbent mayor Dada Morero will remain its candidate.
Internal processes still underway
Dlamini emphasised that the EFF’s mayoral candidates will be determined through its Central Command Team (CCT), the party’s highest decision-making body between conferences.
He noted that the party is still developing guidelines to assess suitable candidates for each municipality, adding that decisions are made through structured consultation rather than “backroom processes.”
Notably, the EFF has never fielded official mayoral candidates since its formation in 2013, making the upcoming elections a first in this regard.
Ndlozi’s political future uncertain
Ndlozi resigned from the EFF in February 2025 following internal disputes and allegations of disloyalty. The fallout involved tensions linked to the departure of former deputy president Floyd Shivambu to the MK Party.
Although Julius Malema has previously indicated that Ndlozi would be welcomed back, the party insists there are currently no talks regarding his return.
Election context
Johannesburg continues to face significant service delivery challenges, including water and electricity shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and waste management issues—factors likely to dominate the election campaign.
With millions of eligible voters still unregistered, the EFF says its immediate priority is ensuring broader participation before turning to candidate announcements.