Jossey Buthane

**Modikane Joseph "Jossey" Buthane** (born 19 August 1979) be South African politician from Limpopo Province. From May 2014 go April 2024, he represent Economic Freedom Fighters insyd Limpopo Provincial Legislature. He cross go African National Congress during de 2024 general election campaign.

## Political career
Buthane begin ein political career as member of African National Congress (ANC). He be regional leader of ANC Youth League (ANCYL) insyd Limpopo, plus close ally of ANCYL leader Julius Malema. Between 2011 plus 2013, he support Malema strong insyd de ongoing feud wey Malema get plus Boy Mamabolo.

### Economic Freedom Fighters: 2013–2024
When Malema form Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as breakaway party from ANC insyd 2013, Buthane deny rumors say he go join de new party, talk say Malema be ein "friend-cum-brother" but he still dey inside ANC. But for October 2013, he announce say he don defect from ANC go EFF. He just lose ein position as chairman of ANC ein Seshego branch give Mamabolo, but he imply say ein main wahala plus ANC be tribalism, as he describe de party as "the Amazulu National Congress" plus "a social club of individuals".

Buthane get appointed as interim provincial co-ordinator of EFF ein Limpopo branch, wey he replace George Raphela, then he join Limpopo Provincial Legislature as EFF representative insyd May 2014 general election. He serve two terms insyd provincial legislature, wey he get re-election insyd May 2019 general election. For de 2019 general election, EFF sana nominate am for National Assembly election, but he dey ranked 86th on de party ein national list so he no get elected.

He still stay inside EFF ein Limpopo leadership, serve as provincial secretary then, from 2018, as provincial chairperson. But insyd 2022, EFF ein national leadership talk say dem go disband Buthane ein provincial leadership corps insyd Limpopo, as dem no satisfy plus de provincial party ein performance insyd 2021 local elections.

### Return to African National Congress: 2024–present
Insyd 7 April 2024, during ANC rally wey happen insyd Polokwane, Buthane announce say he don defect from EFF go rejoin ANC. Some of de reasons wey he talk for why he comot EFF be say dem disband de party ein provincial leadership insyd 2022 plus de personal attacks wey Malema throw give am. According to ANC, Buthane become key figure wey mobilise former EFF members make dem support ANC insyd May 2024 general election.

## Allegations of violence
Insyd 2012, Buthane appear insyd Mankweng Magistrate's Court on top charges say he assault one fellow ANCYL member during one University of Limpopo rally.

Insyd September 2014, dem charge am for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm say he attack one fellow EFF member during one party meeting insyd Mahwelereng.

Insyd August 2015, dem charge Buthane for assault say he hit one student with stick during one student gathering insyd University of Limpopo. De following month, he plus other EFF members get arrested insyd Mahwelereng on top unrelated charges of inciting public violence.

Insyd August 2018, News24 talk say Buthane dey stand trial insyd magistrate's court insyd Schoonoord, as dem accuse am say he assault one female EFF member during one party meeting insyd December 2016. Buthane deny de accusation wey de plaintiff make, as he talk give de newspaper say, "Politically, she be de one wey dey abuse men by taking advantage of Women's Month."

During #AmINext protests insyd 2019, dem name Buthane anonymously on Twitter as one of de male politicians wey face several rape plus sexual assault charges; Buthane deny say he ever sexually assault anybody.

Insyd January 2020, Buthane plus Boy Mamabolo den others get arrested on top charges of malicious damage to property plus theft, related to vigilante attacks wey happen on different houses insyd Seshego. Local newspaper Polokwane Observer talk say Buthane also face charges of attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, plus kidnapping. Dem say de attacks happen as de accused den others try effect citizen's arrests on suspected gangsters wey dey for de area.

Insyd May 2024, just before de general election, Buthane get arrested on charges of attempted murder plus possession of unlicensed firearm. De charges relate to political violence between EFF plus ANC supporters insyd Juju Valley region of Seshego between 18 plus 19 May, wey 25-year-old man plus nine-year-old girl get wounded. Dem talk say Buthane, wey get charged for attempted murder of de man, dey seen shooting into crowd of people during de clashes. After Buthane get released on bail, ANC talk say de charges be politically motivated. De charges get dropped insyd November 2024.

## References