Just six months after joining the African Transformation Movement (ATM), Themba Wele has ditched the party, claiming it takes from the poor instead of developing them.
Wele, a former ANC and EFF leader, joined the ATM before the May 8 elections. But he told the DispatchLIVE on Thursday that he never even signed a membership form.
The East London politician has now resurfaced as deputy president of the African Federal Convention (Afco) — a splinter group of the EFF.
Wele, who has been tasked with building Afco structures in the province before the new kids on the political block elect leaders next year, said the ATM was not so much a political party as a “church thing”.
However, ATM president Vuyo Zungula dismissed Wele’s comments, saying he jumped ship because he did not make it to parliament or the legislature.
But Wele insisted he left the ATM because he did not agree with its principles.
“I believe in helping poor people and the ATM, being a church thing, is taking money from the poor. That is something I cannot be associated with. That thing won’t last because it’s not a political party. There are no structures. There is no future there,” he said.
The ATM was established by the SA Council of Messianic Churches.
Zungula poured cold water on Wele’s say, saying he was just disgruntled.
“You will realise that in the build-up to elections, a lot of people join parties in the hope that they will get seats in parliament or the legislature — and the ATM attracted those people as well. After elections those people leave when they realise they won't benefit. It’s a lie that we take from the poor. He is just trying to make a name for himself by saying it,” he said, adding the ATM had donated water tanks to Xolobeni villagers in Mbizana and soccer kits in Mpumalanga, and built a house for a poor woman in KZN.
Turning his attention to Afco, Wele said he was ready to build the party in the Eastern Cape.
“I built the EFF here ... and I will build Afco and let others take over because I'm a deputy president. I did it before with the EFF and I will do it again with Afco.
“All I want is to serve people and change people's lives. I know people's lives won't change overnight but there must be programmes.”
Afco plans to contest the 2021 municipal elections, where Wele and party president Vusi Mathe are hoping to make a major impact.
Mathe described Wele as a capable leader. He said Afco was growing fast and had already established itself in six provinces, but could not say how many signed-up members they have. While the party is yet to launch its manifesto, Mathe said decolonising the education system and expropriation of land without compensation would be their key areas of focus.
“The issue of land is very complex. Yes, we support the issue of expropriation of land without compensation, but not now,” he said, adding he feared only a few politically connected people would benefit from it.