SHIVAMBU’S DEPARTURE A SHAKE UP

  Salaamedia Twitter.

Thu 15 August 2024:

The ground is grumbling beneath Winnie Madikizela-Mandela House, the headquarters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party. Floyd Shivambu’s departure could mark the beginning of a shake up in the party that has been dominated by Julius Malema since inception.

In a press briefing at the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg on Thursday, Malema announced the exit of his deputy. Shivambu will now swap his red beret for the green attire of uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).

“When he sent me a letter yesterday, I felt the same pain when I received the news of the passing away of my mother. Floyd to me is not just a comrade, he’s a brother and will remain a brother even when he pursues his political career differently,” he said.

Although Malema was cautious to let it be known that Shivambu was “more than welcome” to return should he so wish, political analysts believe the move was the upshot of a strained relationship. They also think there is more to come.

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Shake up

This represents a shake up of EFF politics as they have been known. Analysts state Shivambu’s departure might foretell further resignations.

“I think it created some tension between Shivambu and Malema,” said political analyst Ebrahim Fakir in an interview on SABC. He was referring to the red party’s lacklustre performance in the 2024 elections, when it was eclipsed by Jacob Zuma’s MKP and relegated to fourth place.

In four months’ time, the party is expected to go into its elective conference. Reports suggested Shivambu was plotting to compete against Malema, causing friction between the two.

Fakir stated the latest development will have implications not just for the party, but for the country’s broader political landscape. He described the moment as “tumultuous” and “unprecedented”, a time when “everything is up for grabs”.

“A whole lot of things are flying around at this moment, but it’s a very dramatic moment for the EFF. It’s going to have serious repercussions for the EFF, both at the elective conference in December, and going forward especially in electoral politics in South Africa,” he said.

Although it is now known that Shivambu has switched over to MKP, it is unclear what role he might take on there. At the press briefing this morning, he stopped short of elaborating.

“I am not going to speak here, in Winnie Madikizela-Mandela House, as to what is the basis of that because that would be tantamount to campaigning already for uMkhonto weSizwe Party.”

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