Is this the end? – Shivambu’s rogue move stuns MK leadership

Shivambu

Cape Town – The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has reportedly disowned a media briefing scheduled for Thursday by its former secretary-general, Floyd Shivambu, calling it unsanctioned and in violation of party protocol.

Although Shivambu remains an MK member, party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela confirmed that the leadership was neither informed of nor approved the event, which features MK branding, reports said on Wednesday.

“We have not been made aware of this briefing which uses MK brand colours or the announcement by Floyd to hold this briefing. It has not been sanctioned by the party and as the official spokesperson I was not made aware of this. We will have to wait and see what the briefing is about before we proceed any further,” IOL quoted Ndhlela as saying.

According to Sunday World, he also mentioned that the party was caught off guard by the media invitation circulating on social media and would only grasp its purpose once the briefing takes place.

The briefing, announced on social media, is expected to address “recent political developments”, with strong speculation that Shivambu will resign and launch his own party.

“Tomorrow (Thursday, 19 June 2025) we have a Press Conference to speak about political developments in South Africa. Those who have worked with us know that the guiding dictum and principle is guided by Amilcar Cabral who says, ‘Hide nothing from the masses of our people. Tell no lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures. Claim no easy victories . .’. It’s our DNA to speak the truth because truth is Revolutionary!,” he wrote on X. 

His relationship with MK has deteriorated since his removal earlier this month, highlighted by a public rebuke from party founder Jacob Zuma.

Speaking at the launch of the party’s youth branch in Claremont, Durban on Monday, Zuma criticised those resisting leadership changes and said the party is not meant to protect individuals or be a platform for personal gain.

“We’ve had seven secretary-generals because we’re not here to play games. We don’t care how great you are, how loved you are, we don’t care. We talk about our party,” said Zuma.

He added: “There is no one who would occupy a position until such time they go to heaven.  There is no such thing,” Zuma said.

Zuma warned against internal divisions and corruption, urging members to focus on building the party and liberating South Africans.

“Let us not take this organisation as an one in which we want to make money. It’s an organisation to liberate South Africans. It is why if we have one of us go astray, we don’t tolerate them,” said Zuma.

This move comes ten months after his sudden resignation from the EFF.

Despite holding a high-ranking position in MK, Shivambu struggled to gain broad support within the party and was recently removed from his post and left off the parliamentary list.

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