By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Floyd Shivambu has been removed as secretary-general of the MK Party after his controversial trip to Malawi to meet self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri.
Shivambu, who crossed floors from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to join the MK Party last year, has faced widespread criticism for his visit to Bushiri. Bushiri fled South Africa in 2020 while on bail for charges of fraud and money laundering.
Noting that on the 12 March 2025, The Republic of Malawi’s Chief Resident Magistrate delivered a ruling that granted the South African Republic’s request for the extradition, it is common knowledge that Bushiri and his wife Mary Bushiri skipped bail, and are to return to South Africa to stand trial on various charges.
According to the party, the trip violated Section 3(j) of its Constitution, which prohibits international engagements not aligned with MK’s agenda.
“Based on the deliberations by the National Officials, it was reaffirmed that the trip was not an officially sanctioned programme of the organisation or the President, which therefore goes against the constitution of the party.
“The MK Party and its leadership, has been approached by members of various sectors of civil society and has taken due consideration of the gravity of this matter, “read the MK Party statement.
“The president and the national officials were left with no other option but to act swiftly in addressing this matter,” it said.
Despite his instrumental role in building the party’s mobilisation structures during its early stages, Shivambu’s relationship with sections of the leadership had deteriorated. Last week a letter from the party was leaked by his opposers regarding his removal as secretary general.
Shivambu will now serve in the National Assembly. The statement said his redeployment is aimed at strengthening the MK party caucus in parliament.
“We believe that his redeployment will strengthen the MK Party caucus as the Official Opposition,” read the statement.
UKZN political analyst, Zwakhele Ndlovu, highlighted the party’s pattern of rotating leadership and underlying ethnic tensions.
“Shivambu is the third SG of the party, which is less than 2 years. It doesn’t come as a surprise. Some say Shivambu is not an ideal SG for a party that received 95% of its electoral support from Zulu speakers. We know that Zuma’s daughter has criticised Shivambu before and called him Johnny-come-late.”
”This is a party that is notorious for chopping and changing leaders.”
While the party has not made an announcement, the name of recently axed party’s Chief Whip in Parliament Mzwanele Manyi has surfaced in political speculation.
The MK Party, which is the third-biggest party after the ANC and the DA following the May 29 elections, has become the official opposition party by virtue of being outside the Government of National Unity (GNU) comprising the ANC, the DA and other smaller political parties such as the UDM, PAC, PA and others.