What is going to happen to EFF’s Naledi Chirwa?
Could the doors be closing in on EFF MP Naledi Chirwa after she was left floundering at the bottom of the party’s national candidate list?
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament Naledi Chirwa has made it to the party’s candidate list submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Although notably, Chirwa has been placed last (200) compared to 30 in 2019.
According to reports, Chirwa was placed high on the preliminary lists; however, after being forced to apologise for missing Parliament sessions publicly, she was ordered to buy two gazebos, each costing R5000. She was then moved to number 200.
NALEDI CHIRWA PLACED LAST ON EFF CANDIDATE LIST
Fresh from the #FeesMustFall movement, Chirwa was among the youngest politicians who became Members of Parliament in the sixth administration alongside Nompendulo Mkhatshwa and Vuyani Pambo.
Chirwa and Pambo were some of pivotal figures in the demonstrations, which shut down university campuses and caused chaos in a bid to see university fees reduced. Their goal was achieved when Jacob Zuma decided to implement plans for free higher education.
Five years later, the doors are closing in for the 30-year-old. This is supported by the fact that the red berets have 44 seats in Parliament and will likely only secure some of the 200 after the elections in May.
Notably, former president Jacob Zuma’s staunch supporter Carl Niehaus sits comfortably at number 27, while axed Public Protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane is number 40.
Could it be that Chirwa’s name will move higher up as the electoral commission publishes the final lists after inspections and objections? The IEC is due to publish the final lists on 10 April.
According to Parliament, the University of Pretoria alumna is a member of the portfolio committee of health in Parliament. She previously served as the legal and transformation officer for the EFF Students Command (EFFSC) in 2015 and the following year, as the spokesperson of the EFFSC.
The South African has approached Chirwa for comment on whether she will continue to serve the EFF even if she does not make it to Parliament and the Gauteng Legislature.
This article will be updated once a response is available.
A STAUNCH FOLLOWER OF FUGITIVE BUSHIRI
A few years ago, a video of Naledi Chirwa in self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s church surfaced on social media platforms.
In the video, Chirwa received a blessing from Major 1 as Bushiri is popularly known.
Naledi Chirwa called Bushiri papa and daddy, and even cried to this scammer 😬🤦♀️🤦♀️
— TK_Nala (@NalaThokozane) May 18, 2022
Ya neh. pic.twitter.com/7opXy4RCuG
EFF leader Julius Malema weighed in on the video.
“You will do those things of kneeling there before Bushiri because some of you even thank him for taking you to Parliament.
“I am not your father ‘Papa Papa Bushiri’. I am not a father of anyone. ‘I receive Papa Papa, I am in Parliament Papa Papa’. That is why when you are removed from those positions. You have a difficulty because you want to thank Papa,” the flamboyant leader said.
Naledi Chirwa was warned long ago and she continued not to obey the Supreme Leader 😏 pic.twitter.com/QlNYA3Ceo6
— Floyd (@AmuFloyd) March 27, 2024
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