By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party secretary-general, Floyd Nyiko Shivambu has announced the beginning of a process to form a new political outfit.
Shivambu has been touted as a divisive force by many MK party insiders, often clashing with many party members and leaders within the inner circle. These include daughter of Jacob Zuma, Duduzile and other party leaders.
He announced that over the coming months he would consult various communities and groups to gauge whether he should launch his own political party.
This he will do alongside an interim structure that he will announce next week, while remaining a member of the official opposition party, whose cap he wore on Thursday before addressing journalists in Midrand.
Shivambu’s decision comes two weeks after he was removed as MK party secretary-general. Speaking about the reasons for his removal, Shivambu said he was accused of wanting to overthrow the party’s leader Zuma.
Shivambu claimed he was also accused of accumulating supernatural powers to make people disappear. This was done through two fake intelligence reports, he said.
He was appointed as secretary-general in November 2024 as the MK party prepared to mark its first anniversary in December.
Shivambu emphasised that he remains a member of the MK Party and will not resign, despite the uncertainty surrounding his membership.
“A substantial number [of people] have said don’t ever try to join the ANC, and I fully agree. I will never join the ANC, it is directionless [and] does not know what it’s doing, and it’s in collaboration with the white system. And there are those who said, “Do not ever join the EFF because it is a cult. I agree with them — there is no space for sound ideological reasoning and there is no self-respecting person who can join both the ANC and EFF, “he said.
“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 MK Party 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.
Shivambu’s political journey began with the ANC Youth League, where he served as the national spokesperson from 2008 to 2012.
When Shivambu and Malema were suspended from ANC, they worked closely to start the EFF in 2013. Shivambu was the party’s Deputy President from 26 July 2013 until 15 August 2024.
Meanwhile the search is now on for MK party’s next secretary-general. According to the party’s constitution, Zuma, as party president, has the prerogative to hire and fire its leaders.
Fullview understands that the party is lobbying internally for the position. Names doing the rounds include those of founding member Phumlani Mfeka and spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.