Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), recently addressed speculation about Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi's role and future in the party. This followed reports suggesting that Ndlozi might be barred from attending the EFF's upcoming National People’s Assembly, where the party's leadership will be elected. Malema dismissed these claims as baseless, calling them "shebeen gossip" and refraining from providing a definitive answer on Ndlozi's status.

Despite some factions reportedly seeing Ndlozi as a leadership contender, Malema emphasized that no official stance had been communicated regarding his participation. Ndlozi, a senior member of the EFF, had been deployed to a recent party event in KwaZulu-Natal, but his absence there further fueled speculation about internal dynamics. The situation underscores the ongoing political maneuvering within the EFF as it prepares for its leadership elections next month.