Floyd Shivambu drops political bombshell, eyes new party amid explosive MKP fallout
Floyd Shivambu Shivambu levelled serious accusations at his former comrades and laid out a bold vision for the road ahead.
Former uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu on Thursday delivered a scathing public rebuke of his political removal and signalled his return to centre stage with plans to potentially form a new political party.
Speaking at a tense press conference at the Mhulu Luxury Boutique Hotel in Midrand, Shivambu levelled serious accusations at his former comrades and laid out a bold vision for the road ahead.
In a series of startling revelations, Shivambu claimed he was ousted from his post based on a 'bizarre and fabricated' intelligence report.
He said the document alleged he was plotting to unseat party leader Jacob Zuma and, even more strangely, accused him of possessing mystical powers. ''There's a bizarre and fabricated intelligence report claiming I wanted to overthrow President Zuma. It even says I have supernatural powers to make people vanish. This is pure fiction,'' Shivambu said, visibly irate.
Shivambu, a former deputy president of the EFF who joined Zuma's MK Party in late 2023, was removed from his role as MKP secretary-general on 3 June 2025. Officially, the party cited his Easter visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi as the reason.
But on Thursday, Shivambu flatly rejected that explanation.'This is not about a church trip. The real reason for my removal is political. The Bushiri visit was just a convenient excuse,' he said. He claimed internal power struggles and paranoia within the MKP's leadership had led to an orchestrated campaign to push him out.
His remarks, filled with frustration and sarcasm, left no doubt that his relationship with the MKP's leadership is now deeply fractured. However, despite his open rebellion, Shivambu maintained that he had not left the party.'I have not resigned from uMkhonto weSizwe.
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The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Does South Africa need a political party led by Floyd Shivambu?
Is it a matter of time until the axe falls on Shivambu's head? Launching a new political party may not be the best move for Floyd Shivambu, the former secretary-general of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, according to a political analyst. On Thursday, Shivambu told reporters that he plans to consult various sectors of society about forming a new political party. This follows his public fallouts with the founder of the MK party, Jacob Zuma and his daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. Speaking to The Citizen on Friday, political analyst Sanet Solomon said South Africa's ballot paper is already congested with a number of political parties, some of whom even fail to make it to parliament. 'I believe that his [Shivambu's] question has been answered before; the answer is no! The country already has 1 613 registered political parties. The country's challenges are well documented. 'What South Africa currently needs is service delivery, good governance, accountable leaders, and capable state institutions,' he said. Is Shivambu 'reading the room'? Solomon said that despite the wide range of political parties available to voters, many South Africans continue to face the realities of a stagnant economy and one of the most unequal societies in the world. 'While Shivambu did express the desire to consult different communities, it should be noted that the establishment of a new party suggests that he is not reading the room. 'People are disheartened by the lack of action from politicians and need accountability.' Solomon said Shivambu may also have to gain public trust if he is to launch a new political party. 'Given Floyd's current disposition, it may be advisable to take a few months to reflect and re-strategise as voters may distrust him owing that he had already represented the African National Congress (ANC), the EFF and MK [party] in such a short space of time. 'This political 'flip-flopping' is frowned upon,' she said. What happens to career politicians? Solomon said Shivambu's predicament in the MK party sheds light on a broader challenge facing career politicians. 'What happens once you have exhausted all your political options, but have never worked in another environment? 'As the country's political landscape shifts, future politicians may have to consider acquiring additional skill sets that allow them to move beyond the political realm,' she said. ALSO READ: Zuma's tirade against Shivambu indicates he is 'no longer useful to him' Still a member of the MK party Meanwhile, Shivambu reiterated that leaving the EFF for the MK party was the best political decision he has ever made. He took some jabs at the EFF saying he had learnt more in the MK party in the short space of time compared to the long years he had spent in the EFF. The MK party has not officially responded to Shivambu's remarks made during a press briefing held in his personal capacity. The party had removed him from the position of secretary-general for allegedly going on an unauthorised trip to Malawi where he met with Prophet Shepherd Bushiri. NOW READ: Shivambu says money stolen from MK party – and he won't resign
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
The political gamble of Floyd Shivambu: Is he overestimating his popularity?
Floyd Shivambu's political maneuvers raise questions about his future in MK and the potential for a new party. As he navigates a treacherous political landscape, will he succeed or face expulsion?" Image: X/floydshivambu Call South African politics and politicians many things but predictable is not one of them. Fresh from Liam Jacobs crossing over from the Democratic Alliance to his political nemesis, The Patriotic Alliance, South Africans were treated to another bombshell this week. Former EFF founder turned former uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Secretary General, Floyd Shivambu announced he was mulling the idea of forming a new party of his own - but not yet. He will remain a member of MK for now. Confused? Don't be. Its the chess game of politics. Shivambu is pulling off the same stunt as that of former president Jacob Zuma, now MK leader. Remember how Zuma made the shocking announcement he was leading MK while still a member of the ANC in 2023? He was later expelled from the ANC and returned leading the pack with MK's spectacular victory at the last general elections. Malema did the same when he too was expelled from the ANC in 2012 - and went on to form the EFF together with Shivambu. The EFF too, drew massive support away from the ANC, which was the catalyst of the party's subsequent decline. Shivambu is playing the same game. Mudding the political waters. Daring the MK to expel him. Except he is not Zuma. Or Malema. South Africans don't take well to political chameleons. Party hopping does not work unless you are a huge political figure. Shivambu is a well known figure - but not a powerful leader in his own right. He was given wings by parties led by powerful public figures who command support. Shivambu was the think-tank behind the EFF and later MK strategist and national organiser. Less than a year after joining MK, Shivambu's wings were clipped before he could fly. Was that the issue? Was Shivambu seen as a threat within MK by Zuma's inner circle? His feud with Zuma's daughter Duduzile played out on social media as she unleashed her fury at his character, calling him the 'worst thing to happen to MK'. And, despite her apology, its well known the animosity between them persisted. The tussle for Zuma's ear and ultimately control of the party. Shivambu certainly hinted at that. His axing as MK Secretary General was the final clipping of his wings and clearly ruffled his feathers enough for him to make the decision to go out on his own - at some point. Shivambu no doubt has the backing of funders who call the tune. That's just how it works. Those who pay the piper, call the tune. But is Shivambu overestimating his popularity in taking on MK and the EFF? Calling the EFF a 'cult' and Zuma 'gullible' is hardly a recipe for success when those leaders still command a massive following, especially on the ground. And more critically, Shivambu lacks the charm - crucial when mobilising support at grass roots level. Both Malema and Zuma use their personal populism which appeals to their support base. Malema, a political demagogue, uses his kill the boer song to rile African support while Zuma's identity in Zulu tribalism is his draw card. Both the EFF and MK have leaders as their brand identities. Shivambu taking them on is brave but a huge miscalculation. Already, the response to him potentially forming his own party is being shot down by most South Africans. Social media is abuzz as South Africans weigh in. Shivambu is being called out as not trust worthy for visiting fraud accused fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri. He is also being taken to task for remaining within MK while talking of forming a new party. His bold announcement may have backfired. During his media briefing, a confident Shivambu threw several salvos at MK - a party he still remains a member of. He accused Zuma of being surrounded by 'political scoundrels' who he said 'take drugs and tweet at night' - a thinly veiled reference to Duduzile, the only one who has openly criticised Shivambu with her late night tweets previously. Clearly Shivambu is being led to believe the time is right for another political party. Its a path many before him have followed, some popular, others simply overestimating their popularity. And, despite the misguided reference to Zuma as 'gullible,' Shivambu knows too well his days with MK are numbered. He will be expelled. Others before him faced the same fate for far less transgressions within the party. Zuma will not tolerate Shivambu campaigning for another party while within the MK. And Shivambu's expulsion is not a question of if - but when. And, given Zuma's fury at Shivambu, that expulsion is likely to be fast and furious. Until then, Shivambu is a man on the ledge. ** Zohra Teke is an independent writer and journalist. *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL IOL Opinion Zohra Teke Image: Independent Newspapers
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
Shivambu remains with Zuma's party despite plans for new political formation
Floyd Shivambu. Image: Tumi Pakkies FORMER uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu will remain a member of the Jacob Zuma-led party despite his intention of forming a new political party. "I'm saying that we are going to consult with the people of South Africa and if uMkhonto weSizwe believes that going to listen to people violates that constitution then it will tell me that." His stance appears to mirror Zuma's move when he refused to terminate his ANC membership after he had announced that he would be leading the MK Party. Shivambu told a media briefing in Johannesburg that his removal from his position was due to a fake intelligence report claiming he wanted to overthrow Zuma. According to Shivambu, the fake intelligence report alleged that he was accumulating supernatural powers to make people disappear and was plotting to dethrone Zuma. "It was extremely bizarre and a fake intelligence report that I was about to overthrow Zuma and that I had supernatural powers to make people disappear." Shivambu claimed that Zuma is surrounded by "political scoundrels" who are taking advantage of his age and kindness to influence him to make decisions that favour their agendas. He further alleged that these individuals are siphoning off millions from the party and that his leadership was being undermined. Shivambu's demotion was announced by the party on June 3, with the reason cited as his visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri's church in Malawi over the Easter weekend. However, Shivambu said Zuma had initially agreed to his trip to Malawi, but later reversed his decision after being influenced by those around him. Shivambu's future in the party has been uncertain since his removal as secretary-general. In response, he announced that he would consult with various communities and groups to gauge whether he should launch his own political party. Shivambu said he would never join the ANC because it was disorganised and the EFF a cult.
