Former uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has revealed that his removal from the position was due to a fake intelligence report claiming he wanted to overthrow party leader Jacob Zuma. 

Shivambu made the revelation during a media briefing at the Mhulu Hotel in Midrand, Johannesburg, where he also announced plans to consult with South Africans on forming a new political party.

According to Shivambu, the fake intelligence report alleged that he was accumulating supernatural powers to make people disappear and was plotting to dethrone Zuma as party leader. 

However, Shivambu rejected the report with contempt, stating, “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 favor 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 maintained that this was not the real reason for his removal. He said Zuma had initially agreed to his trip to Malawi, but later reversed his decision after being influenced by those around him.

“I last spoke to President Jacob Zuma when we had the press conference in Durban when I was relieved of my duties. I thanked him for having given me an opportunity to serve as a leader in the organisation,” he said.

Shivambu further said Zuma agreed to him when they were visiting Namibia that he could go to Malawi. 

“He said ngiyakhumbula (Zulu for I remember)…then he said yebo (yes),” Shivambu revealed.

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. 

This move comes after Zuma’s scathing speech, where he took a veiled swipe at Shivambu, saying the party would not beg anyone who did wrong, no matter how popular they were.

Shivambu emphasised that he remains a member of the MK Party and will not resign, despite the uncertainty surrounding his membership.

 “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.”

However he took a swipe at both leaders of his former organisations, the EFF and the MKP saying members of the respective parties don’t have courage to face their leaders when they are wrong.

“Everybody knew I was leaving EFF. We all discussed it and reached the same conclusion that we are not being fair to society that this comrade (Malema) would lead the country. We all agreed, even with the people that are leading the EFF now.

“For those who are saying if he  wanted to destabilise the party I would have started a faction inside and caused ructions.

In the coming months, Shivambu plans to consult with traditional leaders, church leaders, and different institutions to determine whether there is a need for a new political party. He emphasized that this would not be a personal project but rather a representation of the people’s will.

Shivambu said he would never join the ANC because it was disorganised and the EFF a cult.

MKP spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela had not yet responded to any questions at the time of going to print.

However sources within the MKP said that Shivambu had played a huge gamble and was probably going to be expelled for saying that he did not care if he was expelled.   

Political analyst Sandile Swana believes Shivambu’s move is a clear indication that he is forming an alternative political party.  

“There is no question that the step that Floyd has taken today is forming an alternative political party. An alternative to the MKP and a new home for disgruntled EFF, MKP, and ANC members.”

Swana further noted that Shivambu’s actions are similar to Zuma’s, who makes decisions outside of formal structures and is guided by those around him. 

“Floyd is the accumulation, manifestation, and personification. A younger version of a chaotic Zuma. This is the apex of political chaos, that is Floyd.”

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za

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