By Zukile Majova
- Floyd Shivambu was sidelined as MK party secretary general by a faction loyal to Jacob Zuma after trying to restructure party branches.
- Zuma told Shivambu supporters protesting his removal to leave and form their own party if they cannot accept his leadership.
Floyd Shivambu looks set to resign from the uMkhonto Wesizwe party after an internal war left him without any political power.
Shivambu, who was once the MK party’s secretary general, was sidelined by a powerful group close to Jacob Zuma. He has now called a press conference to announce his next move.
Party insiders say he could start a new political party, especially since he cannot return to the Economic Freedom Fighters or join the African National Congress.
This comes after Zuma publicly warned members protesting Shivambu’s removal to either accept his leadership or leave and form their own party.
The MK party is now split in two. One faction is loyal to Zuma and claims to have formed the party when Zuma was jailed in 2021.
This group camped outside Zuma’s Nkandla home, and their protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng led to deadly riots and looting that killed over 300 people.
This same faction pushed for Shivambu’s removal. They also made sure he would not represent the party in Parliament.
Before Shivambu arrived in the MK party, Zuma’s supporters were in full control of all party branches. But as national organiser and later secretary general, Shivambu tried to restructure the branches to fit the new party constitution.
That move shifted power away from Zuma’s inner circle. It also delayed the party’s first elective conference, with Zuma saying there was a danger of members being bribed to support rival leaders.
Now out in the cold, Shivambu is being urged to leave by Zuma’s daughter and her allies. His supporters threatened protests, but Zuma’s response was clear: “leave and start your own party.”
There are also whispers that fake prophet Shepherd Bushiri may help fund Shivambu’s new venture. Shivambu was recently spotted visiting Bushiri in Malawi.
Pictured above: Floyd Shivambu.
Image source: File
