In a fiery interview on Wednesday night, Floyd Shivambu, the newly appointed Secretary General of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, launched a blistering attack on the so-called “State capture” narrative that has dominated South African politics in recent years. According to Shivambu, the allegations of State capture, which stem from the judicial inquiry led by former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, are baseless and nothing more than a political smear campaign aimed at discrediting leaders like former President Jacob Zuma.
Shivambu, who made headlines in August for resigning from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and joining Zuma’s MK Party, has quickly emerged as a prominent figure within the party. His rise in the ranks of the MK Party, with its strong base in KwaZulu-Natal, has been swift, and his appointment as Secretary General signals his increasing influence in the political landscape.
In his Newzroom Afrika interview, Shivambu pulled no punches, dismissing the State capture narrative as a “scam” and a “nonsense” that has been used to target Zuma and other key figures aligned with him. He said, “The biggest scam in South Africa’s politics and political history was this rubbish called State capture… driven for a very long time.” Shivambu also asserted that the narrative was part of a broader political agenda to undermine those who championed radical economic transformation, a cause he passionately supports.
Shivambu reflected on his own journey, acknowledging that for a long time, he had been misled into believing the accusations against Zuma and other leaders in the MK Party, including former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama. “Some of us got to realise even before uMkhonto weSizwe party was formed that we were driven into a wrong agenda to pursue president Zuma because he did not want to account to the white capitalist establishment,” he explained.
The MK Party leader further insisted that the allegations of State capture were fabricated and that there has never been a legitimate case against the key figures targeted by the Commission of Inquiry. “There has never been an instance, not even once, where the white capitalist establishment got to direct and micro-manage president Zuma,” Shivambu argued. He also defended former public officials like Molefe and Gama, stating that the charges against them were either dropped or baseless. “There is no meaningful case against our Member of Parliament, commander Siyabonga Gama,” Shivambu added.
The statements made by Shivambu come amidst growing support for Zuma and his allies, despite the political and legal controversies surrounding them. While Shivambu remains unapologetic in his defense of Zuma, he also expressed frustration at what he perceives as the public’s misguided belief in the State capture narrative. “We were misled for a very long time, with so many lies,” he said.
Shivambu’s comments echo the sentiments of many within the MK Party, who continue to challenge the findings of the Zondo Commission and dismiss the idea of State capture as a political tool used to weaken the pursuit of economic transformation.
The debate surrounding the Zondo Commission’s findings remains a polarizing issue in South African politics, with some defending the Commission’s work and others, like Shivambu, questioning its motives and conclusions. As Shivambu continues to rise within the MK Party, his stance on State capture is sure to influence the ongoing national conversation about corruption, governance, and the country’s future trajectory.
Legal Developments Around Molefe’s Case
Shivambu’s defense of the MK Party’s leadership comes on the heels of the recent withdrawal of corruption charges against former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe. In June, Corruption Watch dropped its case against Molefe, citing a poorly formulated charge that preceded the final report of the Zondo Commission. However, the decision was not an exoneration of Molefe, as Corruption Watch clarified that it was based on procedural grounds and not a judgment on the merits of the case. Despite the withdrawal, Shivambu and other Zuma supporters view the move as proof that the charges against their allies were politically motivated.
As the MK Party continues to gain ground under Shivambu’s leadership, it seems clear that the battle over South Africa’s political narrative—and the legacy of Jacob Zuma—will remain a central issue for years to come.
