Dali Mpofu

**Daluxolo Christopher Mpofu** (Dali Mpofu), (wey dem born 17 January 1962) be South African lawyer, politician, den former businessman wey serve as National Chairperson of de Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) from 2014 go 2019. He serve for de Judicial Service Commission from 2017 go 2022, den before that, he be chief executive officer for de South African Broadcasting Corporation from 2005 go 2009. 

Mpofu get admission as advocate of de High Court insyd 1993, den dem award am senior counsel status for 2014. He known for handling politically sensitive cases: some of de people wey he represent include de striking mineworkers for de Marikana Commission, Tom Moyane for de Zondo Commission, den Busisiwe Mkhwebane for de Section 194 Enquiry; since 2021, he be lead counsel for former President Jacob Zuma for ein corruption trial. Mpofu formerly be long-time member of de African National Congress, but he move go de EFF for 2013. 

## Early life den activism
Dem bornMpofu insyd 1962 insyd Duncan Village wey dey outside East London for de former Cape Province. Ein mommie, Nosebenzile Doris, be domestic worker. As he talk ein story, he begin get involved for de anti-apartheid movement around de time of de 1976 Soweto uprising, den later turn "radical". When he be 17 years, dem arrest am sake of ein political activities – by then he be member of de Congress of South African Students – den dem charge am plus sabotage den arson. After dem acquit am for April 1981, he start work as spot-welder for Mercedes-Benz factory, where he dey organise for de South African Allied Workers' Union. He sana talk later say he join de African National Congress (ANC) underground for 1980.

By 1986, Mpofu be student for University of de Witwatersrand (Wits), where he be president of de Congress-aligned Black Students' Society – as he talk, he win de position after contest plus Black Consciousness activist Xolela Mangcu. Insyd 1986, dem detain am without trial for John Vorster Square. Insyd 1987, Mpofu work inside Kathleen Satchwell ein attorney offices, den he complete ein BProc for Wits for 1988.

## Early legal career

### Relationship plus Winnie Mandela
Mpofu work for one year inside de Social Welfare Department of de ANC, wey de apartheid government unban insyd 1990. For dat role, he serve under Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, wey be de ANC ein head of social welfare. He sana, together plus George Bizos den others, serve on de legal team wey represent Madikizela-Mandela when dem prosecute am over ein alleged involvement for de murder of Stompie Seipei. For 1992, dem elect Mpofu as publicity secretary for de Johannesburg branch of de ANC Youth League.

By 1991, City Press report rumours say Madikizela-Mandela get affair plus Mpofu while ein husband, political prisoner Nelson Mandela, still dey Robben Island. E still spread say de affair continue after Mandela ein release. For May 1992, dem sack both Mpofu den Madikizela-Mandela from dem ANC positions as reports come say de party dey investigate fraud charges against dem. One ANC document wey leak enter de press talk say Madikizela-Mandela dey accused of using "ANC money to live it up plus ein alleged lover, lawyer Dali Mpofu". Mpofu go court put wrongful dismissal charges against de ANC; both he den Madikizela-Mandela deny de affair den de fraud allegations.

Insyd June 1992, national den international media print one letter wey Madikizela-Mandela apparently write give Mpofu for March 1992; for de letter, she hint strong about demma affair den even appear to admit say she give Mpofu about R160,000 (around £30,000 that time) from de ANC ein coffers. Paul Erasmus from de South African Police later talk say de police ein Security Branch leak de affair rumours to de media as part of dem Stratcom operation wey dem plan to discredit Madikizela-Mandela plus de ANC. In de end, Mpofu no continue ein wrongful dismissal lawsuit.

### Advocate of de High Court
Sana insyd 1992, Mpofu complete ein LLB for Wits, den de following year, dem admit am as advocate of de High Court of South Africa plus as member of de Johannesburg Bar. He practice law for de Department of Justice, den from 1996 go 1997, he serve as trainee international advocacy teacher for Gray's Inn insyd London. After short time as acting judge for de Labour Court of South Africa for 2000, he work as executive director for corporate affairs for Altron Group, one ICT company, from 2000 go 2005. During dat period, he sana get some business interests, through black economic empowerment deals.

## CEO of SABC: 2005–2009
Insyd June 2005, Mpofu get appointment as chief executive officer of de South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), wey be South Africa ein public broadcaster. Till 2008, he serve at de same time as chairman of de board for Boxing South Africa; then by 2009, he still hold directorship for Deutsche Securities South Africa plus shares inside de Elephant Consortium, wey get 6.7% stake for Telkom.

Early insyd ein tenure at de SABC, insyd September 2007, Mpofu controversially announce say na de SABC go sever ties plus de South African National Editors' Forum over de forum ein response to a series of critical reports about Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. In addition, na *Business Day* later point out say, during Mpofu ein tenure, na de SABC require chaw large bail-outs from de central government.

However, na de bulk of Mpofu ein tenure be dominated by ein battles plus de SABC board den plus Snuki Zikalala, de SABC ein head of news den current affairs. Na ein term coincide plus de prologue to den aftermath of de ANC ein 52nd National Conference, wich remove Presido Thabo Mbeki from de ANC presidency wey dem replace am plus Jacob Zuma. Na dem think SABC to be caught up insyd de ANC ein internal factional politics. As early as October 2006, na der be media reports say na Mpofu den Zikalala clash after Zikalala sought to restrict coverage wey na he think na e be critical of Mbeki. Insyd April 2008, na Mpofu say publicly dat na de SABC dey face, den dey resist, "political pressure", though na he no say from whom.

### Suspensions: 2008
On 6 May, Mpofu suspend Zikalala pending de outcome of one disciplinary inquiry. But de next day, de SABC board come announce say dem no dey recognize Zikalala ein suspension as valid, den dem too suspend Mpofu pending outcome of ein own disciplinary inquiry. Mpofu talk say he suspend Zikalala sake of say he leak SABC documents give other media houses, but media reports suggest say Mpofu try suspend Zikalala because he suspect say de board want suspend am den put Zikalala for ein position. De board accuse Mpofu of "refusal and/or failure to abide and implement decisions of de board".

Less than two weeks later, de Johannesburg High Court cancel Mpofu ein suspension, rule say de board ein decision no valid because dem deliberately leave Mpofu out of de meeting wey dem take de decision. De court no grant de board leave to appeal de judgement, but by mid-June, dem suspend Mpofu again for de second time. For dat time, de board charge am plus several internal disciplinary offences, mostly based on allegations of financial mismanagement, plus claims say he ignore or undermine de board ein authority. Mpofu talk say de charges be “kind of rubbish, really”.

### Dismissal: 2009
Mpofu get dismissal for January 2009. At first, he challenge de dismissal for de Labour Court, but for August 2009, he agree to withdraw all legal action in exchange for exit package of R14.1 million. As reports come out say SABC dey inside serious financial trouble, Mpofu talk say he take "full responsibility for all de decisions I made" for de SABC, but argue say since March 2008, when ein problems plus de board start take over, he no really dey work again. He talk say:I no believe say I do or no do anything wrong, because de board jump on me barely two months after dem arrive. E bad say dis mess wey dem create come cost like this. E be lesson give all of we for de future… [De financial crisis] no be my mess. I no get anything to do plus any of that… I believe say if dem no change de board, we no for get any of dis problem.Dem replace am for SABC plus Solly Mokoetle, den Mpofu joke say after dem sack am, he go turn "full-time house husband". For June 2010, reports come out—wey Mpofu deny—say dem shortlist am for appointment as chief executive officer for Telkom.

## Later legal practice

### Marikana Commission: 2012–2014
Mpofu come back into de public eye insyd 2011 den 2012, as he represent three ANC Youth League leaders – Julius Malema, Sindiso Magaqa, den Floyd Shivambu – for inside de ANC ein internal disciplinary proceedings wey later lead to Malema ein expulsion from de party. As Mail & Guardian talk, na Malema later for 2012 recruit Mpofu make he represent de mineworkers wey dem arrest after de Marikana massacre. Mpofu represent de mineworkers for de Marikana Commission of Inquiry, wey run from 2012 go 2014 under de chairmanship of Ian Farlam. Controversially, he no gree work pro bono, den he withdraw briefly from de proceedings between June den October 2013, during which time he file successful court application make de state pay de mineworkers demma legal fees.

As de Marikana Commission hearings dey near end insyd August 2014, media report say Mpofu apply for senior counsel (silk) status for de High Court since 2012, but President Jacob Zuma still never approve de award. While Ramaphosa dey under cross-examination by Mpofu, he mention say dem get “friendly” conversation de day before, wey Mpofu allegedly ask am make he help talk to Zuma make de process fast. Mpofu vex plus deny say he ask Ramaphosa for any help. He get ein silk status de following month.

### Nugent Commission den Zondo Commission: 2018–2021
Mpofu represent Tom Moyane, wey be suspended Commissioner of de South African Revenue Service (SARS), for de Nugent Commission wey hold for 2018 to investigate allegations of maladministration during Moyane ein time for SARS. Insyd July 2018, Mpofu enter serious public argument plus Pierre de Vos, wey be constitutional law expert from University of Cape Town. De Vos write one blog wey criticise Moyane ein submissions to de commission, den suggest say Mpofu act unethically by presenting those submissions on Moyane ein behalf. Mpofu reply am angrily on Twitter, talk say de Vos ein post be "defamatory, insulting & possibly racist", den threaten to sue am if he no delete am. De Vos refuse.

Mpofu sana represent Moyane for de State Capture Commission, wey investigate claims say Moyane preside over state capture for SARS. Insyd March 2021, Mpofu cross-examine Minister Pravin Gordhan on behalf of Moyane, den shortly after that, he enter heated exchange plus Gordhan den ein lawyer Michelle le Roux. During de exchange, he tell am say "Miss le Roux must shut up when I am speaking", den when Gordhan try talk, he tell am, "you shut up". De chairman of de commission, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, talk long on top Mpofu ein behaviour, describe am as "unacceptable". Insyd March 2022, de Johannesburg Society of Advocates (de Johannesburg Bar) rule say Mpofu breach de bar ein ethical code, but one separate inquiry from de national Legal Practice Council clear am of unprofessional conduct charge insyd June.

### Jacob Zuma criminal charges: 2021–present
Insyd May 2021, Mpofu join former President Jacob Zuma ein defence team, as Zuma dey face new corruption charges wey dem reinstate. Mpofu come take over as lead counsel for de corruption trial, replace Muzi Sikhakhane, den he sana advise Zuma ein defence for de separate contempt of court trial wey land Zuma for prison for July 2021. Mpofu deny say Zuma ein strategy for de corruption trial be Stalingrad defence wey aim to delay de prosecution forever.

### Section 194 Inquiry: 2021–present
Mpofu sana represent Busisiwe Mkhwebane for ein application to stop Parliament from starting impeachment proceedings to remove am from ein position as Public Protector. Even though dat application fail, he still represent am during de impeachment process wey Parliament ein Section 194 Enquiry initiate, even though he first talk say he no go involve ein self for “any of the illegal activities” of de enquiry. Some commentators accuse Mpofu say he dey use de same Stalingrad strategy wey people say Zuma dey use—wey mean say he dey try delay de process until around late 2023, by which time Mkhwebane ein constitutional term as Public Protector go expire.

Mpofu too chop criticism from both ANC den opposition Members of Parliament after he vex for de chairperson of de enquiry, Qubudile Dyantyi, for September 2022. He tell Dyantyi say, “You are not entitled to abuse me like you are abusing me. I'm senior to you in many ways... you have the power now, you can exercise it, but you'll pay one day.” When dem ask am whether he dey threaten Dyantyi, Mpofu talk say yes, den add, “Actually, it is not a threat. It is a promise.” For late March 2023, Mkhwebane announce say she no dey give Mpofu ein team instructions again, as de Public Protector ein office refuse to pay more legal fees for am.

### Oda notable cases
Mpofu sana act as counsel for many politically sensitive cases. He defend ANC politician Supra Mahumapelo when Mahumapelo try regain ein position as ANC Provincial Chairperson for North West; later, he sana represent ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule as Magashule try challenge ein suspension based on de ANC step-aside rule. He sana represent Patricia de Lille when she fight make dem no remove am as Mayor of Cape Town. Mpofu ein other former clients include Fees Must Fall activists for Wits University like Mcebo Dlamini; abaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, wey ein kingship claim President Zuma challenge; Gareth Cliff, wey sue M-Net after dem sack am for defending Penny Sparrow ein derogatory Tweet; and Zandile Mafe, wey dem accuse say he set Parliament buildings on fire. Many commentators dey criticise Mpofu say he dey defend political figures wey get questionable actions or say he dey use legal tactics wey no too clean ethically.

## Judicial Service Commission: 2017–2022
Insyd September 2017, President Zuma talk say Mpofu go start serve for de Judicial Service Commission straight away. Dem nominate Mpofu as one of de two representatives from de General Council of de Bar of South Africa. Na Advocates for Transformation, one professional group wey get right to nominate person indirectly to de commission, choose am to represent de bar. Insyd 2019, dem re-elect am again make he serve anoda two-year term.

But Mpofu face plenty criticism for February 2022 sake of some comments wey he make when de commission dey interview candidates to replace Mogoeng Mogoeng as Chief Justice for de Constitutional Court. Especially during de interview of one female judge, Mandisa Maya, Mpofu talk say he and Maya "spend one night together"—later he come clarify say dem spend de night dey study. Still, people see de comment as inappropriate and with sexual undertone. E no end there. Mpofu come still "ambush" anoda applicant, Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, with some questions about sexual harassment rumours wey no get evidence. Because of all dis, de Pretoria Society of Advocates write give de General Council of de Bar make dem recall Mpofu from de commission and condemn ein "unacceptable" and sexist behaviour. Adriaan Basson from News24 write one editorial wey blast Mpofu well-well, call am “a scoundrel, immoral and a nincompoop.” Dis one stir more wahala as twenty advocates—like Dumisa Ntsebeza, Nomgcobo Jiba, and Menzi Simelane—respond back, accuse Basson say ein insults dey show "colonial and barbaric attitude of whiteness towards Africans."

Insyd March 2022, Advocates for Transformation come announce say Mpofu ein term for de Judicial Service Commission really expire since 10 February. But dem talk say dem ask am make he continue small to help keep “continuity” till dem finish de Chief Justice interviews. On 18 March, dem announce who go replace am.

## Political career insyd de EFF

### Defection from de ANC: 2013
Then insyd early November 2013, Mpofu write resignation letter give ein local ANC branch for Saxonwold and announce say he join Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), de new party wey Julius Malema form after dem expel am from ANC. That time, Mpofu still dey represent de Marikana mineworkers, one cause wey dem talk say he and Malema don dey work on together. In fact, *Mail & Guardian* talk say Mpofu don dey “do Malema ein work behind de scenes” even before he officially announce say he dey join EFF, and say he help try pull important leftist people wey go help build de party structure.
As Mpofu lef de ANC, he talk hard against dem, say de party dey suffer "internal paralysis" wey go make am eventually become irrelevant for de bigger revolutionary struggle. He claim say de ANC don abandon de Freedom Charter, den for one opinion piece he write:E be possible say de ANC na victim of ein own lack of commitment to any clear ideological stance, plus ein refusal to turn into proper political party. Instead, e still dey act like liberation movement or 'broad church'. Dis kind approach don make de ANC open to hijack by right-wing people, billionaires, and market fundamentalists. Dem don take away de party ein true soul, and now, plenty disappointed members dey talk: ‘Dis no be de ANC wey I join.'Before de 2014 general election—wey be de first one wey de EFF contest—Mpofu stand as de party ein candidate to become Premier of Gauteng. So dem put am number one for de EFF ein provincial list. As election finish, he secure one of de eight seats wey EFF win for de Gauteng Provincial Legislature. But after de election, de EFF announce say Mpofu ask make he no take ein seat, so he fit focus more on de Marikana Commission work and help build de party ein internal structures.

### EFF National Chairperson: 2014–2019
Insyd mid-December 2014, wen EFF hold dem first national conference, Mpofu win de position of National Chairperson without anybody contest am, under Julius Malema wey be de EFF President. For 2015, he set up de party ein National Disciplinary Committee. But throughout de five years wey he serve for dis position, he comot hand from two of ein main duties as chairperson because of how "hectic" ein work schedule as advocate be.

Insyd de 2019 general election, Mpofu run again as candidate; dem place am third for de party list to enter de National Assembly, both for de national list and for all nine provincial constituencies. Even though dis make am win one of de parliamentary seats, he no accept am and dem no swear am in.

As ein chairperson term dey end, Mpofu try come back to top party position; he join campaign team wey include Mandisa Mashego. But wen de EFF hold dem second national conference on 14 December 2019, instead of try keep ein seat as Chairperson, he choose to challenge Floyd Shivambu, de incumbent Deputy President. But he no get enough support from de delegates—he no reach de 30% threshold wey dem need make person enter de ballot. Veronica Mente then take over as new National Chairperson. Mpofu talk say he no dey bothered by de election result; he compare de matter to wen Kgalema Motlanthe challenge Jacob Zuma for ANC ein 53rd National Conference. He say de goal no be to win but to make point say "no position dey above contest".

### MI6 allegations
Insyd one 2019 parliamentary debate, President Cyril Ramaphosa talk say he receive intelligence reports wey claim say EFF be "MI6 project". He talk dis in response to Julius Malema ein accusation say Ramaphosa be apartheid spy. Mpofu react by talk say if de report true, he go shut down de EFF. But not long after, he lose ein position for de party ein leadership.

## Ein life matter
Mpofu marry Mpumi Mpofu for 2004. She be public servant wey don serve as director-general for de Department of Transport and de Department of Housing; later dem appoint her as Secretary of Defence for 2010. Even after her husband move go EFF, she still remain for de ANC. Mpofu get one son, Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, plus activist and academic Terry Oakley-Smith.

Insyd April 2013, as he dey represent mineworkers for de Marikana Commission, na dem stab Mpofu chaw times during one mugging for Eastern Beach insyd East London. Dem hospitalise am with collapsed lung. A year later, two men wey cause de attack dem convict dem.

### Controversies
Insyd October, de tax man be knocking on de door of well known advocate Dali Mpofu for unpaid personal tax worth two million Rands.

## References


## External links

* Daluxolo Christopher Mpofu at People's Assembly