JOHANNESBURG – The EFF is facing a major crisis after its deputy president, Floyd Shivambu, announced his resignation from the party and his decision to join the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) led by former president Jacob Zuma.
Shivambu, a founding member of the EFF, made his announcement at a press conference today, saying that he has decided not to renew his membership with the red berets. He did not provide specific reasons for his departure, but he did say that his decision was a "revolutionary act that will allow progressives forced to unite and work towards progressive and revolutionary change."
Shivambu also resigned as a member of Parliament, representing the EFF in the National Assembly. He added that the MK Party has not promised him any specific position or made any promise of deployment to Parliament.
Responding to Shivambu's departure, EFF leader Julius Malema expressed his sadness but said he accepted the resignation, describing it as voluntary.
"When I received the letter from Shivambu, I felt the same pain he felt when he received the news of the passing of my mother," Malema said. "Resigning from the EFF is equal to resigning from himself. He is not just a member but a founder of the party. If he decides to come back, he is more than welcome to do so."
"We wish DP all of success, we know that wherever he is going, he is going to be of value. We have lost a valuable member as the EFF but the show continues," Malema added.
Shivambu's resignation comes as a major blow to the EFF, which has been grappling with internal tensions and challenges in recent months. The party's performance in the recent national elections, where it lost support, has reportedly contributed to the unrest within the party.
"People are unhappy, and this stems from the outcomes of the recent national elections," an insider said. "They have tried to engage with Julius, but it all fell on deaf ears. There are some party members that are very close to Julius, and they are untouchable, which is causing more stress to other members," another source said.
Shivambu is not the only party member to have left the EFF for the MK Party. Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi has also resigned to join Zuma's party. Malema said he understood Manyi's decision, saying it stemmed from loyalty to Shivambu.
Former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and Carl Niehaus, who were earlier rumoured to also be leaving the party, have denied these reports. "I will never betray the fighters, my political home," Mkhwebane said on X.
Malema acknowledged that this is a testing time for the EFF, but he remains confident that the party will overcome this challenge.
"This is a testing moment. An organisation that has lived beyond 10 years has never been through this. The EFF will have to pass this test," Malema said. "This should not serve as a point of collapse for the EFF. This is not the end; it's the beginning of a journey because we have turned 10 years old and a new chapter for the EFF," he added.
Malema warned that more EFF members could follow Shivambu's lead, but he also reassured his members that he would never leave the party.
"I want to reassure the ground forces of the EFF, the loyal, hard-working, disciplined ground forces of the EFF, I am with you, and I will never turn my back against this organisation. My coffin will be draped with the flag of the EFF. I will remain a loyal and disciplined member of the EFF, even if I remain alone."
Malema also said that there will be no appointment of a deputy president because they have an elective conference in December. "If we appoint someone now, that will cause unnecessary tensions within the party," he said.
Malema also said that Shivambu leaving the party for MK Party came as a surprise to him. "It was unexpected and came as a shock to some of us. Politics are unpredictable," he said.
