Floyd Shivambu faces uncertain political future amid fierce criticism
Image: X
The future of Floyd Shivambu, former secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), hangs in the balance after a series of scathing attacks from prominent political figures.
Shivambu's removal from his position earlier this month has sparked speculation about his potential departure from the party and the possibility of starting his political venture.
To fire the first salvo was ANC Youth League President Collen Malatji, who has been particularly brutal in his assessment of Shivambu, describing him as "a small boy" who lacks support.
Malatji's comments suggest that Shivambu would not be welcome in the ANC, and that the party would not survive if he were to join.
"I don't want Floyd in the ANC; I want Julius," Malatji reportedly said, referring to EFF leader Julius Malema.
Malatji further stated that Shivambu had no support base and Zuma had used him and spat him out.
'Floyd hates the ANC, and the ANC hates him. On the other hand, Julius (Malema) has a support base and he can be more useful to the ANC,' he reportedly said.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
In another attack, MK Party Leader Jacob Zuma warned party members who oppose leadership decisions after some members threatened to protest for Shivambu's reinstatement at a June 16 rally in Durban on Monday.
"If those people want to start their own party, they should go ahead," Zuma said.
"We are not going to be apologetic and bow down to individuals in this party. No matter how good, important, and educated you are."
Zuma's comments suggest that Shivambu's future in the party is uncertain and that he may be forced to explore alternative options.
"There are people who want to protest because we have made a certain decision. This means this party is not as strong as we want it to be… Even those who left, we did not chase them away; they left on their own. Many of them had erred in a big way. So now you guys want to get into things you know nothing about," he said.
He said these decisions were made at a higher level, and people should stick to their lane.
"It is the high command that decides who is right and who is wrong, who causes problems, and who does not cause problems," Zuma said.
Shivambu's former ally and friend, Malema, has also dismissed the idea that Shivambu could go back to the EFF after he detracted last August.
At the time, Malema had made an emotional speech, saying that "his brother" (Shivambu) could come back to the EFF anytime he wanted to; however, he has now changed tune saying it is no longer his decision to welcome back Shivambu into the party but that of the Central Command Team and the party's constitution.
Malema also dismissed assertions that Shivambu could boost the MKP's performance in Parliament.
This was after the MKP indicated that Shivambu was stripped of his secretary-general hat so that he could promote the MKP's participation in the National Assembly.
"If you're saying this person is going to be a holy spirit and boost the MK Party's presence in those committees, it's practically impossible," Malema said. "He cannot match the kind of leadership that we have deployed."
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, sources close to Shivambu suggest that he may be consulting with a plan to start his party.
According to insiders, Shivambu is not on the MK party's parliamentary list, and his future in the party looks bleak.
"The list that is doing the rounds, Floyd's name is not in the list, leaving senior caucus members surprised. There are about 10 vacant parliamentary seats for the MKP, and so far, Shivambu has been left out.
'Floyd has a lot to prove right now, and so he is consulting with a plan to start his party because there is a fierce debate whether Shivambu should be included in the list or not.
'Some members are outright opposed to it and others say it's a relief but will be less effective in Parliament,' sources said.
Shivambu's phone rang unanswered in an attempt to get his response on the matter.
However, in a recent speech to the Maanda-Ashu Workers Union of South Africa, Shivambu stated that since his removal from his MK Party post, he has had no other work and has reached out to the organisation for volunteer opportunities.
mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Zondo and SACC urge immediate action as South Africa's corruption crisis escalates
Siyabonga Sithole | Published 5 hours ago With the country's anti-corruption fight reflecting a worrying trend, former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and the South African Council of Churches (SACC) have voiced their widespread condemnation of South Africa's endemic graft, which has now reached critical crisis levels. This comes on the back of a high number of high-profile corruption-related arrests implicating some of the country's leading political figures. The SACC stated that pastors who live and show off their lavish lifestyles at the expense of poor congregants are no different from corrupt politicians. This is as the SACC continues to reflect on the scourge as part of its National Anti-Corruption conference currently under way in Johannesburg. Opposition political parties and analysts have weighed in on the country's dismal attempts at reigning in the scourge. Zondo, speaking during his address to the conference's delegates on Wednesday, indicated that the bending of rules to favour certain important people was at the heart of the country's corruption problem. "We bend the rules when we have done something wrong because that has happened when it should not have happened. The church must be the one that leads us. It must tell the rest of us not to bend the rules. The rules apply to everybody," he stated. Zondo also questioned the resolution taken by the ANC in 2007 to disband the Scorpions in favour of the Hawks, currently tasked with investigating high-profile cases. The Activists and Citizens Forum, through its spokesperson, Denis Bloem, said corruption will be hard to beat as long as the ANC still holds power. "The country believed that under former president Jacob Zuma's administration, corruption was at its peak. However, the country was mistaken. Corruption is worse now and out of control under President Cyril Ramaphosa's administration. " The reason why there is no end to corruption is that the government is infiltrated by criminals masquerading as political leaders. Meanwhile, they are the biggest thieves. "General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told the country a few weeks ago that the South African Police Service is infiltrated by criminal syndicates and that some politicians are also on the payroll of these syndicates. Activists and Citizens Forum believe that corruption will not end as long as the ANC is in power. We know this so-called Government of National Unity is just a rubber stamp for the ANC," said Bloem. Reflecting on the excessive levels of corruption and fraud in the country, Rise Mzansi national spokesperson, Mabine Seabe, said the country's problems are not new, adding that all societies are affected by corruption. "Corruption is not a recent phenomenon, nor is it unique to a particular sector of society. What is of alarming concern is that it has taken hold of every aspect of life, where almost every service requires or can be extracted through corrupt means. The Zondo Commission illustrated the industrial nature of corruption with both the private and public sectors lubricating corrupt actions," he said. As for the recent bombshell by KZN Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, which has implicated senior politicians and the SAPS, Seabe welcomed the recently established Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into the criminal elements in the country's political elite and the police. "Moreover, the allegations made by Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi point to a nexus between powerful elites and organised crime. "We believe that the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry and Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations are well-placed to probe the alleged collapse and capture of South Africa's safety, security, and justice apparatus; hold those responsible accountable; and recommend the necessary reforms," Seabe added. Attempts to get a comment from the ANC, which has been accused of failing to root out corruption among its leaders, were unsuccessful at the time of going to print. However, this week, ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, addressed the recent developments affecting Senzo Mchunu during the ANC's National Working Committee (NWC) meeting with the Provincial Executive Committee, saying the party welcomed Ramaphosa's decision to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the allegations against Mchunu. "Senzo Mchunu has an opportunity now, in terms of the audi alteram partem principle, to also present his side of the story . Once we listen to that, it is also evaluated in terms of facts by a competent, independent judge, and a judicial commission, like the president appointed, then we can pass judgment," he said. [email protected]
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Appropriation Bill Finally Passed After Late-Night Confusion in Parliament
One of the biggest surprises came when MK Party Chief Whip Colleen Makhubele voted "yes" to the bill, even though her party had clearly said it would vote against it. This led to confusion in the National Assembly, with MPs looking around, unsure if they had heard her correctly. Image: ARCHIVES After a long day of debates and delays, Parliament finally passed the 2025 and 2026 Appropriation Bill late on Wednesday night. The bill, which allows the government to spend money on services like schools, hospitals and roads, was approved with enough votes from members of the new Government of National Unity. But the night did not go smoothly. One of the biggest surprises came when MK Party Chief Whip Colleen Makhubele voted "yes" to the bill, even though her party had clearly said it would vote against it. This led to confusion in the National Assembly, with MPs looking around, unsure if they had heard her correctly Next Stay Close ✕ . Makhubele later said she thought the vote was for something else. She quickly changed her vote to 'no' after realising her mistake. But by then, MPs from other parties had already started heckling her. Some laughed. Others shouted. A few told her she was not ready for the job. But Makhubele stood up and explained herself. 'I am new in this role,' she said. 'Mistakes do happen.' She added that she did not mean to vote in favour of the bill and had simply misunderstood what was being voted on at the time. Even with the confusion, the Appropriation Bill passed. Members of the African National Congress, the Democratic Alliance and other coalition partners voted in favour. This helped the new Government of National Unity show that it can work together to pass important laws, even with all the noise and disagreements. Many South Africans were watching closely. This was the first big test for the new Parliament after the national elections. The bill is important because it tells the government how much money it can spend and where that money will go. Without it, many departments would not be able to function properly. Some people say the mistake by Makhubele was not a big deal. Others believe it shows there is still a lot of confusion in this new Parliament, especially with so many different parties involved. One MP, who asked not to be named, said after the vote, 'This is going to happen a lot. There are too many new faces, and not everyone is on the same page.' So far, the MK Party has not said whether it will take any action against Makhubele. She is still quite new to the position of chief whip, and some say it would be unfair to punish her for what looked like an honest mistake. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said he was happy the bill had passed. He said it was a sign that, despite the disagreements, Parliament was still able to do its job. 'This is an important moment,' he said. 'Now we can focus on getting services to the people.'
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
President Appoints Judicial Inquiry Into Criminal Justice Interference
President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a big step by officially appointing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate claims of interference in South Africa's criminal justice system. Image: ANC/X President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a big step by officially appointing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate claims of interference in South Africa's criminal justice system. The announcement was made through a government gazette on Wednesday and comes after growing public concern over the state of law enforcement in the country. The inquiry will be led by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, a respected judge with years of experience in the legal field. He will be in charge of finding out whether criminal networks or individuals have been able to influence or manipulate the justice system for their benefit. The commission has been given clear terms of reference, meaning it will look into specific areas such as the police, the prosecution system, and other institutions meant to protect the public. The aim is to find out if criminals or corrupt officials are playing a role behind the scenes. Next Stay Close ✕ This move follows serious claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Speaking in recent weeks, Mkhwanazi said he believed that parts of the police and broader justice system had been infiltrated by criminal elements. He warned that some officials were using their positions to protect criminals and to interfere with investigations. His comments shocked many and led to strong reactions from the public and political leaders. Some called for immediate action, saying the country cannot afford to have crime-fighting institutions influenced by the very people they are supposed to be stopping. In response to the concerns, President Ramaphosa has now acted by setting up this commission. In the gazette, he stated that the goal of the inquiry is to uncover the truth and restore trust in the system. He said all South Africans have the right to feel safe and to believe that the justice system is working for them, not against them. Justice Madlanga will have the power to call witnesses, gather evidence and make recommendations. The process may take months, but the outcome could lead to big changes in how the justice system is managed and protected. Minister of Police Bheki Cele and Minister of Public Service and Administration Senzo Mchunu are also expected to make submissions to Parliament regarding the allegations. Mchunu said he was preparing a full report that would deal with how appointments and oversight in the public service may have opened the door for criminal interference. Meanwhile, political parties have welcomed the inquiry but warned that it must be fair and transparent. The Democratic Alliance said that the commission must not be used to cover up deeper problems. The Economic Freedom Fighters said that long-standing issues in the police and prosecution services needed to be exposed once and for all. Ordinary South Africans have also weighed in. Many say they hope the inquiry will lead to change. 'We are tired of hearing that criminals are protected by those in power,' said one resident in Durban. 'If this commission can clean things up, then it is long overdue.' The commission will begin its work soon, although no exact dates have been confirmed yet for public hearings or final findings. Until then, all eyes will be on Justice Madlanga and the team around him.
