Top 10 stories of the day: Shivambu sticks with MK
Here's your daily news update for Thursday, 19 June 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
In the news today, former uMkhonto weSizwe party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has vowed to remain within the Jacob Zuma-led political formation, despite considering forming a new party.
Meanwhile, alarm bells are ringing over the number of Gauteng police vehicles currently in the workshop awaiting repairs.
Furthermore, the EFF has confirmed that Julius Malema was denied entry into the United Kingdom (UK) due to his political views.
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Shivambu says money stolen from MK party – and he won't resign
Former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has vowed to remain within the Jacob Zuma-led political formation, despite considering forming a new party.
Shivambu was recently dismissed from his role as secretary-general following a controversial trip to Malawi, where he visited fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri.
Former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu at Sandton Sun And Towers on 24 February 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi
Although it was initially announced that he would be redeployed to parliament, this has not yet materialised.
During a press briefing held at the Mhulu Luxury Boutique Hotel in Midrand, Shivambu claimed that his removal was the result of allegations that he was plotting to unseat Zuma as leader of the MK party.
CONTINUE READING: Shivambu says money stolen from MK party – and he won't resign
Here's how many Gauteng police vehicles are standing idle
Alarm bells are ringing over the number of Gauteng police vehicles currently in the workshop awaiting repairs.
Several stations were found to be operating with more than 20% of their fleet out of service, while tasked with policing more than 200 000 residents in their precincts.
Image for illustrative purposes. Picture: iStock
A report compiled by the provincial government also listed the reasons for the breakdowns, as well as the size and population of each station.
The report showed that 710 out of 5 630 police vehicles were standing idle as of the end of May.
CONTINUE READING: Here's how many Gauteng police vehicles are standing idle
Banned again: Malema's presence not 'conducive to the public good', say UK authorities
The EFF has confirmed that Julius Malema was denied entry into the United Kingdom (UK) due to his political views.
On Thursday, EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the party received a letter from the British government indicating that Malema was denied a visa because of his views on the Israeli war in Gaza and his controversial race-centred political views.
EFF leader Julius Malema. Picture: Neil McCartney/The Citizen
'In a correspondence from the UK Home Office Secretary, the country has confirmed that it has effectively banned the president of the EFF due to his position in relation to the genocide of Palestinian people, and his expressed support for the resistance movement fighting against the genocidal Israeli regime. As well as his position and that of the EFF on racial inequality in South Africa,' he said.
Thambo said the letter states that Malema's presence in the UK would not be desirable under the current circumstances.
CONTINUE READING: Banned again: Malema's presence not 'conducive to the public good', say UK authorities
Tobacco Bill bans sale of loose cigarettes – informal traders fear bankruptcy
The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill in South Africa prohibits the sale of single cigarettes (or loose cigarettes), which informal traders say could bankrupt their businesses.
The Portfolio Committee on Health discussed the impact of the Bill on businesses earlier this week. Members have completed public hearings in all provinces and are now taking oral submissions in parliament.
For illustrative purposes. Picture: iStock
Mampapatla Madikoto, Limpopo Small, Medium Enterprises and Hawkers Association general secretary, told members of the portfolio committee that the ban on single cigarettes would cripple their operations, as many of their customers not only buy cigarettes but also other items.
CONTINUE READING: Tobacco Bill bans sale of loose cigarettes – informal traders fear bankruptcy
South Africa's award-winning trio bags another accolade at Monte-Carlo Television Festival
If it's not broke, don't fix it, they say.
And the film trio of actress Leleti Khumalo, producer Anant Singh, and film director and writer Darrell Roodt need not fix anything, as the three scooped another award last night at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival.
SA film Don't Give Up won at the Monte-Carlo Television festival. Picture: Supplied
'I'd like to thank the Videovision team and the director, Darrell Roodt, who came up with this amazing project. And I thank Anant for always believing in me and for always having faith in me,' Khumalo said in her speech.
South Africa's trio won the Golden Nymph Award in the 'Special Creation' category for the film Don't Give Up.
CONTINUE READING: South Africa's award-winning trio bags another accolade at Monte-Carlo Television Festival
Here are five more stories of the day:
Yesterday's News recap
READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Bavuma: Proteas win sinks in | MaMkhize's luxury cars up for auction | Kyalami nears F1
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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Floyd Shivambu plots new political party amid Zuma coup accusations
Former MK party secretary-general, Floyd Shivambu, has declared the start of the process to create a new political party following accusations that he attempted to topple former president Jacob Zuma as the MKP leader. Speaking at a press briefing at the Mhulu Luxury Boutique Hotel in Midrand on Thursday, Shivambu said they will be consulting with all traditional leaders, church leaders, and civilians over the next few months on the formation of the party. 'We will be seeking the wisdom of ordinary South Africans, including all the churches of Zion Christian Church of Nazareth Baptist Church and IPCC… Michael Nkuna, Dr Irvin Khoza, Patrice Motsepe, and Kaizer Motaung on the need to form a new political party. 'If yes, what should be the values of that political party and what should differentiate it from other political parties?' he said. However, Shivambu insisted he was not leaving MKP, brushing off the question about dual membership. 'I have not resigned from uMkhonto weSizwe. I will never resign from uMkhonto weSizwe,' he said, sticking to his word that joining Zuma's party was the best decision ever. Shivambu stated that the consultations needed to be the answer to why and how the party should be funded. He said the party on the pipelines is not going to be a personal project, a cult or a group of friends. He added that they will announce the leadership that is going to lead the consultations. Shivambu dropped a political bombshell during a media briefing, claiming he'd been accused of plotting to overthrow Zuma and take over. He slammed what he called a 'bizarre and fabricated intelligence report,' alleging it accused him of wielding 'supernatural powers' capable of making people vanish — charges he dismissed as absurd and politically motivated. 'There's nothing I do in private that I won't own publicly,' Shivambu declared defiantly. His explosive comments come amid a wave of infighting that's torn through the MK Party.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
'We will not beg anyone': Jacob Zuma on the slippery MK secretary general seat
Jonisayi Maromo | Published 3 days ago Leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe party, former president Jacob Zuma, has addressed thousands of supporters in Durban, where the political outfit launched its youth league during an event to commemorate Youth Day. Zuma stated that when he announced the formation of the MK party, he recognised that the youth would be central to its operations and mission. 'On 15 December (2023) when I made an announcement and I said those who I was part of, were fighting for freedom, and they have moved off the road. I said I am establishing this party. But I said something else that I would say on a different day. 'I said we want to take the elections and win them, and rule this country, as we said we are going to. I would not have died before I see the correct and indeed the freedom that we have spoken about. 'When I made the announcement, I knew that at the heart of the revolution is the youth in fact. It is the youth that are at the heart of succeeding in whatever we do. I am very happy that today I can say without hesitation that the youth of this country is on the road to liberate this country,' he said. The MK party leader added that the 'freedom' is not very far. Zuma said he believes it is the youth of South Africa who must lead the campaign in speaking out against the problems bedevilling the citizens. 'I don't think we should keep quiet and wait that until there is an occasion bla bla bla. We are still oppressed but the oppression of this time is at another level, and we should not accept it,' he said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'The youth is here. When we started, we knew that we could not do everything in one day. We have the youth (league) now. The youth have a role to play in history.' Zuma said when the African National Congress (ANC) it was the youth league which took the revolution to greater heights. Moving onto internal MK party matters, Zuma said the party is not beholden to anyone, and no one will be begged to stay. 'Let us not take this organisation as an organisation that you come to make money. This is not the organisation to make money. It is an organisation to liberate South Africa, this one,' said Zuma. 'That is why, if you look seriously, you realise that if we have one of us who goes out of the way, we do not beg them. Let me just tell you, it is now seven people who have occupied the position of secretary general, because we are not playing. Even if you think you are big, you have a huge following or whatever, we don't care, we talk about our party.' A week ago, IOL reported that Floyd Shivambu has been removed as the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party's secretary-general. At a press briefing hosted in Durban, the MK party said this comes after an investigation into Shivambu's trip to Malawi to visit fugitive pastor, Shepherd Bushiri's Jesus Nation Church, which was found to be against the party's constitution. A statement on behalf of Zuma was read by Nathi Nhleko, the party's national organiser. [email protected] IOL News
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
'Zuma is surrounded by political scoundrels': Floyd Shivambu alleges theft of R7 million a month from MK Party
Thabo Makwakwa | Published 4 hours ago In a startling revelation during a media briefing at Mhulu Hotel in Midrand, Floyd Shivambu, former MK Party secretary-general, accused senior leaders of orchestrating a campaign against him for preventing the squandering of the party's funds. Shivambu alleged that he was targeted for attempting to halt the monthly embezzlement of approximately R7 million from the party's funds. '(Zuma) is surrounded by political scoundrels who use his kindness, sometimes gullibility, that comes with age. To write down fake intelligence reports on me to influence him in the wrong direction. And the reason they do that is because they want to steal money from MKP this season. 'And they are doing so now -withdrawal of not less than 7 million rands monthly from organisational coffers. We are talking about this because we raised it internally,' he said. Shivambu said they asked them to stop doing that because they ran a risk of getting the party de-registered. Shivambu, a prominent figure in the MK party, revealed that his efforts to investigate and stop financial theft within the party had made him a target. He claimed that some senior leaders had access to the party's coffers and were siphoning off millions of rands each month. He said he was met with hostility when he intervened. 'The party has had seven secretariat generals since its establishment, and all of them are gone, because questioning the money makes you a target . They were stealing around R7 million per month,' Shivambu asserted. He further accused certain factional elements within the party of fabricating a false intelligence report, claiming he wanted to overthrow MKP leader Jacob Zuma. Shivambu suggested that this report served as a pretext for justifying his removal as secretary-general . Earlier this month, Shivambu was demoted from his role as secretary-general and was informed that he would be redeployed to Parliament. The party cited his recent trip to Malawi, where he visited wanted fugitive Shepherd Bushiri, as the official reason for his demotion. Shivambu dismissed this explanation, insisting that internal power struggles and financial misconduct were the real reasons behind his sidelining. Responding to claims that he was at odds with other members of the MK party, Shivambu dismissed allegations of factional disputes, asserting that he refused to entertain internal divisions. 'Since the redeployment, there have been moves to overhaul the structures I helped establish when I was appointed National Organiser and later Secretary-General,' he said. Shivambu announced his intention to convene a committee to assess whether he should establish a new political party. Despite his demotion and ongoing internal conflicts, he made it clear he remains committed to the MKP. Shivambu's tenure in the MK party has been fraught with controversy. Shortly after joining the party, he faced disapproval from some supporters, and social media posts by Duduzile Zuma Sambundla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, publicly insulted him. Shivambu expressed his loyalty to the MK party despite the turbulence, stating, 'I am not leaving the party. I will continue to fight for its integrity and transparency within its ranks.' IOL tried to contact MK Party spokesman, Nhlamulo Ndhlela to respond to the allegations. He had not responded at the time of publication. This is a developing story. [email protected] IOL Politics
