EFF's second-in-command Floyd Shivambu calls it quits

JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president and MP, Floyd Shivambu, has quit the party.

The EFF on Thursday called an emergency media briefing at Winnie Madikizela Mandela House in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, confirming the announcement.

Shivambu said his membership within the party had lapsed, and would not be renewed.

He also resigned as a member of Parliament.

"I will not do or say anything to compromise the organisation we founded", Shivambu said in his address.

Malema said he accepted the decision, which he said was voluntary.

"Resigning from the EFF is equal to resigning from himself."

Malema said the day he decided to come back, "he was more than welcome" to do so.

"He was not a member, he was a founder."

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Malema added that there would be "many others" leaving the EFF, owed to their loyalty with Shivambu, who will join Jacob Zuma's Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

At the same time, a visibly disappointed Malema said Shivambu's decision shattered him.

“We wish DP all of success. We know that wherever he’s going, he’s going to be of value. We’ve lost a valuable member of the EFF but the show continues.”

Malema closed the media briefing by assuring the party’s supporters that he’ll never neglect them nor join another political organisation.

VBS BITES BACK?

Last month, former VBS chair Tshifhiwa Matodzi implicated Shivambu and EFF leader Julius Malema in dodgy dealings in a 77-page affidavit, claiming they were paid a lump sum of R5 million and received R1 million monthly at the behest of Matodzi in exchange for not speaking badly about the bank during public engagements.

Other political leaders implicated by Matodzi in the looting saga include Gauteng South African Communist Party (SACP) Jacob Mamabolo, African National Congress (ANC) Limpopo treasurer Danny Msiza, former ANC Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize and former director-general at Treasury, Dondo Mogajane.

Following Matodzi's explosive claims, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) instructed the director of public prosecutions in Pretoria to work with the Hawks in tracking down who leaked the high-profile witness statement.

The bank's former chair, who entered into a deal with prosecuting authorities, received an effective 15 years in jail for pleading guilty.

DWINDLING PARTY SUPPORT

Shortly after the 2024 elections in May, Malema conceded that his party's support was negatively affected by the rise of the MK Party, overtaking the EFF as the country's third-largest political organisation.

EFF numbers dipped significantly, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, to just over 2%, from almost 10% in the 2019 polls.

And following the establishment of the Government of National Unity, the EFF said it would not be participating.

'RUTHLESS' MALEMA

During the EFF's 10th anniversary gala dinner in Boksburg last year, Malema cautioned leaders in the party against conspiring behind his back - including Shivambu.

Malema said during the event that if his deputy should one day be weary of his leadership, he needed to play open cards with the red berets’ president.

The pair have a long history, stemming from their African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) days.

“The problem starts when you start organising against me and I hear it in the corners. I am very ruthless,” Malema said.

“All of us, we are here to serve. We don’t have to be the best of friends, we don’t have to be the relatives, don’t force yourself to do the EFF work. It must come from your belly.”

Malema did however rubbish claims at the time that suggested tension between him and Shivambu, and that the two had no plans of conspiring against each other.

"No, shame. You will have to slaughter cows for that fight to happen. It will never happen, that is what the enemy is wishing."