'Aya kwini yena?': Malema responds to Shivambu's redeployment in the MK Party
On Tuesday, Shivambu was removed from his position as secretary-general of the party and redeployed to Parliament.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leaders Julius Malema (L) and Floyd Shivambu. Picture: Facebook/Economicfreedomstruggle
JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has reacted to Floyd Shivambu’s redeployment in the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, implying that he may not have understood what he was getting himself into.
Shivambu was removed from his position as secretary-general of the party on Tuesday, largely due to his visit to fugitive prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s church in Malawi.
He has since been deployed to Parliament, where he will now be forced to rub shoulders with his former colleagues in the EFF.
Malema reacted to Shivambu’s redeployment on the sidelines of his visit to the home of late actor Presley Chweneyagae on Wednesday.
“Yena aya kwini?” is a Xitsonga phrase that translates to "where was he or she going?".
This is how Malema responded to Shivambu’s redeployment in the MK Party.
“I don’t work with Floyd anywhere. Parliament, soccer match or anything. I don’t want to involve myself. Aya kwini yena? So it’s not our problem.”
A visibly unbothered Malema smiled as he was questioned about Shivambu’s removal as the MK Party’s secretary-general.
Malema said Shivambu’s presence on the MK Party’s parliamentary benches won’t have any impact on the EFF.
“The Parliament now is run by young boys. If he comes there and thinks he’ll impose himself on them, they are ready for him.”
He said Shivambu will have to make peace with his political choices.
“‘Yena aya kwini’ – the XiTsonga phrase meaning ‘where did he think he was going’ – is how EFF leader Julius Malema reacted to Floyd Shivambu’s demotion within the MK Party.”
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 4, 2025
Yesterday, the former EFF president was removed as the MK Party Secretary General. @JusstAlpha pic.twitter.com/mD47HpNjaY