Shivambu: EFF calling MK Party 'enemy number one' a 'mistake characterisation'
The country’s official opposition party said it regards the EFF as one of its domestic allies to assist it in its mission to see it governing South Africa.
Floyd Shivambu, MK Party Secretary General, during a media briefing in Sandton on Friday 4 April 2025. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News.
JOHANNESBURG - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has characterised the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as its ally despite the red berets referring to it as “enemy number one”.
At a media briefing on Friday, the MK Party said it had resolved to set up a mission that would eventually see it governing South Africa.
The country’s official opposition party said it regards the EFF as one of its domestic allies to assist it in this mission.
MK Party chairperson Nathi Nhleko said the organisation wants to form a progressive front with all Black political parties and that includes the EFF.
“When we say ourselves, as MK, we stand for the unity amongst African and Black parties, in that definition we also include the EFF.”
Nhleko’s sentiments were echoed by Floyd Shivambu, the former EFF deputy president and now secretary general for the MK Party.
Shivambu said the EFF’s characterisation of the MK Party as an enemy was probably a mistake.
“There are certain characterisations that cannot be true, no matter how you think of certain individuals in terms of their politics and posture. You have to be able to distinguish as a revolutionary between opponents, potential strategic allies and enemy forces.”
Shivambu said while the African National Congress (ANC) is currently in bed with enemy forces in the Government of National Unity (GNU), the MK Party does not see it as an enemy organisation.
Floyd Shivambu, MK Secretary General, said it was a “mistake” for the EFF to refer to it as an ‘enemy number one’.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 4, 2025
Shivambu, former EFF Deputy President, said every revolutionary must be able to differentiate between a “potential strategic ally” and an “enemy”. TCG pic.twitter.com/88wQIAlnX0
MOLEFE HAS NOT LEFT MK PARTY
The MK Party also clarified that its Rustenberg councillor, Thabiso Molefe, has not left the organisation. However, he has been charged for ill-discipline.
Molefe is the party’s only ward councillor in North West and was its first one outside of KwaZulu-Natal.
Molefe recently posted a video on TikTok insulting Shivambu.
There have been rumours on social media that Molefe resigned from the party with his purported resignation letter circulating on social media.
MK Party deputy secretary general Nombuso Mkhize said Molefe was still with the party.
“Firstly, I would like to confirm that Thabiso Molefe, the councillor, did not resign. He remains a member of uMkhonto weSizwe. Indeed, he was charged with ill-discipline in accordance with the constitution of uMkhonto weSizwe. The disciplinary proceedings are scheduled, and it is indeed underway.”
The uMkhonto WeSizwe Party has confirmed its Rustenberg ward councillor, Thabiso Molefe has not resigned from the party.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 5, 2025
Nombuso Mkhize, MK Deputy Secretary General, said he has been charged by the party for ill-discipline. TCG pic.twitter.com/QLb9qiKiQE