Legal professional Dali Mpofu has followed in the footsteps of former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members and has joined the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), saying the new party is the vehicle through which “much needed black and progressive unity” will be achieved.

Mpofu resigned from the EFF, after serving as the chairperson for five years.

“After a lot of soul searching, I have taken a decision that I will be joining MKP. I am joining MKP because I believe that it is the vehicle through which we will achieve the much needed black and progressive unity,” he said in a news interview.

He explained that his decision was not personal, and that he tried reaching out to the EFF president Julius Malema.

“There was no need to inform anyone, at any particular time. I am sure there is no bad blood, so we will talk. I will extend that courtesy after this announcement and I am sure that our paths will meet in this difficult journey for unity,” Mpofu stated.

He pointed out that his decision was not made in response to a particular person, and explained that he was doing it for "his people".

The MKP has in recent months welcomed the EFF’s Floyd Shivambu, who is now the party’s national organiser; Mzwanele Manyi, who serves as parliamentary whip and Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the party’s new Mpumalanga convener.

Shivambu welcomed Mpofu to the organisation, describing it as having superior ideological, political and organisational capacity, composure and temperament to “unite all anti-colonial, anti-imperialist and anti-racist progressive forces in South Africa to fight for total political, economic, social, spatial, cultural and knowledge/ideological freedom and emancipation”.

He said the party was blessed to be joined by “capable, disciplined, hardworking and selfless leaders”.