In a statement that’s bound to stir South Africa’s political waters, Floyd Shivambu has confirmed that his departure from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was not influenced by the emergence of the MK Party—insisting that he would have walked away regardless.
The outspoken former EFF deputy president, once seen as a close ally to party leader Julius Malema, revealed that deeper issues within the party prompted his decision to cut ties. While speculation had mounted that the rise of former president Jacob Zuma’s MK Party played a role in his exit, Shivambu dismissed those claims outright, saying his move was based on principle and long-standing internal concerns.
Shivambu’s departure marks a significant shake-up in the red berets’ upper ranks and signals ongoing fractures within South Africa’s opposition landscape. His statement adds new layers to the intrigue surrounding post-election alignments and the future of radical left-wing politics in the country.
With the political spotlight now firmly on him, all eyes will be on Shivambu’s next steps—whether he chooses to form a new political platform or throw his weight behind a rising alternative. One thing is clear: his exit is more than a personal decision—it’s a political moment that may reshape the opposition bench.
