Mobile network operator Vodacom and South African political party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have reached an agreement over incidents of unrest and attacks on stores following a recent lecture by Mavuso Msimang, Chairperson of Corruption Watch, a local NGO established to monitor incidents of corruption involving public resources.

According to local media reports Msimang delivered a keynote at the Vodacom Journalism Awards, which included an image showing EFF leaders Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu as "abusers of freedom".

Party supporters reportedly attacked Vodacom franchises in Polokwane and Makhado in Limpopo Province on Sunday 2 December 2018.

On Monday 3 December 2018 the EFF was reported to have vowed to continue its protest against the mobile operator and visit stores nationally.

Today the EFF and Vodacom have released a joint statement which detailed a meeting between leadership.

According to the statement: "Vodacom acknowledged that it is politically neutral and it doesn't influence party political positions in any way. Vodacom and EFF appreciate that the matter could have been handled differently to avoid the misunderstanding that occurred."

"Vodacom and EFF encourage the right of freedom of speech and the free circulation of ideas. The parties also committed to engage on policy issues of mutual interest and consider the matter to be closed.: