Floyd Shivambu was redeployed from secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) to Parliament.
Image: Picture: File image
Former secretary-general (SG) of the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party, Floyd Shivambu's unauthorised visit to Malawi to meet with fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri has been publicly cited as the reason for his removal from his position after a tumultuous tenure marked by controversy and power struggles.
However, senior members of the party in Gauteng believe there had been a flurry of reasons why Shivambu was booted despite his proximity to party president Jacob Zuma.
Some of the reasons that were stated include that Shivambu was parachuted, after he joined the party from the EFF, to national organiser, then SG - a powerful position in any political party.
His tenure as SG was marred by controversy and power struggles, as his appointment was met with opposition from senior party members, who questioned his loyalty and commitment to the party.
Some in the party even accused Shivambu of being a double agent, having joined the MK Party to “manage” Zuma.
Shivambu had previously campaigned against the MK Party during the May 2024 general elections, which raised concerns about his suitability for the role.
Additionally, his attempts to centralise financial control of the party and introduce strict controls over access to Zuma sparked further discontent among party members.
He had a fallout with the party’s senior members in Kwa-Zulu-Natal, including Deputy President John Hlophe and Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
Announcing the redeployment of Shivambu from his position as SG to the National Assembly on Tuesday, Zuma said Shivambu's actions, particularly his visit to Malawi to meet with Bushiri, were deemed contrary to the spirit and regulations of the MK Party constitution.
"We believe that his redeployment will strengthen the MK Party caucus as the official opposition, as Commander Floyd Shivambu carries a wealth of experience as a former member of Parliament,” Zuma said.
Zuma stressed that Shivambu's visit to Malawi was not an officially sanctioned programme of the organisation or the president, violating the party's constitution.
Shivambu's refusal to apologise for his actions further exacerbated the situation, with party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela suggesting that he was dishonest about the visit being sanctioned by party leader Zuma.
Ndhlela rubbished the assertions that Shivambu's redeployment was so that he goes to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
“Those people who are saying that are not prophets. There is no such thing as that… It's not even newsworthy,” Ndhlela said.
Shivambu’s phone rang unanswered; however, in a statement, he accepted his redeployment.
"I confirm that the national officials have taken a decision which I fully accept as a disciplined member of uMkhonto weSizwe."
He stressed that he would continue to play a role in advancing the MK Party's agenda and agenda in his new capacity.
Zuma will now consider who to appoint as the party's new SG.
Cape Argus