ANC Member of Parliament (MP) Gwede Mantashe has playfully urged the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to retrieve their former deputy president, Floyd Shivambu, from the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, amid growing tensions within the party. Speaking on the sidelines of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate in Cape Town, Mantashe, who also serves as the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, quipped, “Fetch Floyd [from MKP], it’s bad. Bring him back to EFF, it’s bad where he is.” His lighthearted remark comes at a time when Shivambu has become embroiled in a public dispute with some members of the MKP, particularly Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
The spat between Shivambu and Zuma-Sambudla has intensified, with the MKP secretary-general being publicly criticized by Zuma-Sambudla. She has taken to social media to call him “the worst thing that happened to the MKP,” even going as far as using harsh language, including telling him to “f%** off” in one of her posts on X (formerly Twitter). The conflict highlights deeper issues within the MKP, where there are growing concerns about the influence of newcomers in the party, with longstanding members feeling sidelined. Shivambu, in particular, is accused of trying to place his former EFF associates into prominent positions within the MKP, further exacerbating internal tensions.
While the MKP’s struggles have been ongoing for some time, many, including Zuma-Sambudla, blame Shivambu for worsening the situation. She accused him of trying to assume more control and push his agenda at the expense of unity within the organization. Despite the accusations, Zuma-Sambudla eventually issued an apology, though not directly to Shivambu. Her apology came after her father, former president Jacob Zuma, reportedly instructed her to reconcile or face possible expulsion from the MKP. In her statement, Zuma-Sambudla acknowledged that her public expression of concerns had been misguided and apologized for undermining the unity and discipline of the MKP.
However, many observers are skeptical of her apology, noting that it was likely aimed more at appeasing her father than addressing the underlying issues with Shivambu. Critics argue that her fiery tweets remain on her timeline, which they see as a sign that the apology may not have been sincere. Some have even called for her suspension, pointing out that, by publicly attacking another party member, she brought disrepute to the MKP, and such actions should be met with the same consequences as any other member of the party would face.
The ongoing drama within the MKP reflects the broader struggles within South African politics, where factionalism and infighting often take center stage. Whether or not this conflict will subside remains to be seen, but for now, it seems to be a point of contention for all involved.
