Middelburg — Joseph Ngubeni, the newly elected head of the Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) in the Steve Tshwete municipality, says addressing the party’s challenges requires strong accountability within the organisation and toward the public.
He emphasised that raising awareness and empowering community members are essential steps toward fostering positive change.“We shall further ensure available and visible leadership and the responsive governance structures,” he said.
Ngubeni, deployed as a member of the mayoral committee (MMC) in charge of public safety, has recently assumed the role of chairperson for the sub-regional command team (SRCT) in Steve Tshwete, following the sub-regional people’s assembly (SRPA) held in Middelburg over the weekend of 1–2 November 2025.
He was elected alongside Afrika Maepa, who will serve as secretary and Lerato Mapengu, the treasurer.
Ngubeni acknowledges that the party is facing several challenges in the municipality, including frustrations over service delivery, a slowdown in infrastructure development, and high youth unemployment.
He highlighted internal conflicts such as factionalism, individualism and lack of discipline. “These are not new; they are the symptoms of infiltration of liberal and counter-revolutionary tendencies,” he said.
“Some fighters have forgotten that the EFF is a revolutionary organisation, not an NGO, not a tender office, or a social club. When fighters defy mandates, insult leadership on social media, or neglect branch programs, they do not weaken a leader but the revolution itself. The revolutionary code of conduct must therefore be enforced without fear or favour. Discipline is revolutionary love in practice,” he continued.
“However, addressing the needs of the community has always been our priority.”
In August this year, the EFF announced plans to submit a motion of no-confidence against council speaker, Thato Mathunyane, but the motion stalled after the party suspended its 49 councillors in the province over the failure to buy bakkies. Four of the suspended councillors were from Steve Tshwete, weakening the party’s position locally.
Ngubeni told Highveld Chronicle that the party’s position remains consistent. “Guided by our cardinal pillar no. 7, we believe in transparent and accountable governance. However at the current moment we are focusing on internal dynamics to ensure the smooth running of political and governance work. We shall then indicate to the media as to what is the way forward and update on any developments that relates to our caucus here in Steve Tshwete,” he said.
The party currently holds nine seats in Steve Tshwete council, a gain of two seats compared to the 2016 local government elections.
Looking ahead to the 2026 local government elections, Ngubeni said the SRCT is committed to providing training for all members of the Voting District Coordination Committee (VDCC) across all 29 wards in Steve Tshwete, ensuring they are well-prepared to fulfill their responsibilities. “We are conducting ward consultations, enhancing voter education and in terms of the candidates we’ll select credible candidates rooted in community work. Our mission is performance driven by service, not just the electoral results,” he said.
During the 3rd National People’s Assembly (NPA) in December 2024, the organisaion resolved to dissolve the regional structures to establish SRCT.
Provincial secretary Jackson Malatjie explained that regional structures have become redundant because every programme occurs at the local level. “We don’t need boundaries between the high structures and branches,” he said.
Malatjie revealed that SRCTs have now been established in 16 of the 17 municipalities in Mpumalanga and in all six municipalities in Nkangala.
He also clarified the situation regarding the suspended councillors, noting that 38 have had their suspension lifted. “The reason for this lifting is linked to the bakkies they brought during the provincial disciplinary hearing,” he explained.
