logo
Floyd Shivambu is still MK Party secretary-general as exit rumors swirl

Floyd Shivambu is still MK Party secretary-general as exit rumors swirl

IOL News21-04-2025

The leadership of the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party say secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has not left the party, dismissing rumours in political circles that the former EFF deputy president would be shown the door after his recent trip to Malawi.
Shivambu drew public ire on Good Friday when he was spotted rubbing shoulders and sang high praises for the fugitive pastor and self-proclaimed Prophet Shepherd Bushiri.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Shivambu's attendance in Malawi was met with stern criticism in South Africa, with the Justice Ministry slamming Shivambu while his own party, in an unprecedented move, publicly admonished its own secretary general, asserting Shivambu was acting in his own personal capacity and that the visit was not sanctioned by former president Jacob Zuma or any other party leader.
The gaffe by Shivambu comes amid growing tensions between him and factions linked to Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the former president's daughter, who lashed out at Shivambu on social media, hurling insults.
She was forced to apologize.
Speaking to IOL on Monday, MKP national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said Shivambu remained in his position.
'No there's no such a thing. The secretary-general has not left the party,' he said.
Rumours in the political circles are swirling, with some saying Shivambu is set to be shown the door, however, some quarters are saying Zuma wants to give Shivambu a second chance.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

War of words between AfriForum and Steenhuisen over farm murders
War of words between AfriForum and Steenhuisen over farm murders

IOL News

time9 hours ago

  • IOL News

War of words between AfriForum and Steenhuisen over farm murders

AfriForum's community safety spokesperson Jacques Broodryk has criticised Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. Image: afriforum A heated exchange has erupted between AfriForum's Jacques Broodryk and DA leader John Steenhuisen over the prioritisation of farm attacks and murders. Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa, along with some of his cabinet ministers, including Steenhuisen who is Minister of Agriculture, visited US president Donald Trump in Washington to fend off false claims of white genocide in South Africa. However, Trump ambushed the group with videos and articles to prove that white farmers were being targeted for their land. Steenhuisen, speaking at that meeting, reiterated that he was working with the police ministry to curb farm killings in the country. 'As the Minister of Agriculture it is something that I am particularly exercised with my colleagues at police and my colleagues in the justice cluster to stop, making farm attacks and stock theft a priority crime. And it affects all farmers in South Africa,' Steenhuisen said at the Oval office. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The controversy stems from Steenhuisen's recent statements in the US, where he emphasised the need to declare farm attacks and stock theft priority crimes. According to Broodryk, Steenhuisen's words are nothing more than empty promises, and it's time for him to take concrete action. "It is unfortunate that it took a humiliating meeting with the leader of the US for the Minister of Agriculture to come to his senses and finally admit that farm attacks and murders should be declared a priority crime," Broodryk wrote in a statement. "This is despite the issue being ignored until now." Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen hits back at Afriforum over farm murders. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers Broodryk's sentiments are rooted in AfriForum's long-standing call for farm attacks to be prioritised, a plea they consider to have fallen on deaf ears. The organisation's research reveals that more than 95% of all farm attack and murder incidents remain unsolved, with convictions made in only 66 cases out of 1,402 incidents recorded between 2019 and 2022. According to Broodryk the crux of the issue lies in the government's refusal to prioritise farm attacks, despite the severity and frequency of these crimes. Broodryk contends that other crimes, such as rhino poaching and cash-in-transit heists, have been given priority status, while farm attacks are neglected. "While rhino poaching is considered a priority crime and political murders receive special attention through dedicated task teams, farm attacks do not receive the same treatment," he said. "Clearly, politicians' lives are considered much more important than those of our farmers." In contrast, Steenhuisen claims that his office has been working with the Minister of Police's office to address farm attacks. "There has been collaboration between my office and the Minister of Police's office, including a joint parliamentary portfolio committee meeting between Agriculture and Police," Steenhuisen said. He also said he highlighted the issue of farm attacks in his speech during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) months before his Washington visit. Steenhuisen fired back at Broodryk, saying that he had been working behind the scenes to address farm attacks and that AfriForum's accusations were unfounded. "It is simply not true that I first raised this issue in the Oval Office," Steenhuisen said. "If the gentleman concerned had taken time to meet with me before shooting from the hip, I could have told him of the numerous interventions that have taken place and are yet to take place."

ATM appoints Professor Caesar Nongqunga as president amid leadership restructuring
ATM appoints Professor Caesar Nongqunga as president amid leadership restructuring

IOL News

time10 hours ago

  • IOL News

ATM appoints Professor Caesar Nongqunga as president amid leadership restructuring

ATM party leader Vuyolwethu Zungula has been appointed to only focus on the party's parliamentary work, while its new president, Professor Caesar Nongqunga, will focus on growing the party's support base. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers Senior clergyman Professor Caesar Nongqunga is taking over as the new president of the African Transformation Movement (ATM) without being elected to the position because the party believes that electing its leaders instead of appointing them would harm it. Nongqunga, the leader of the Twelve Apostles' Church in Christ, which has over 4.5 million followers in South Africa and with footprints across the continent, is taking over the ATM presidency from Vuyolwethu Zungula, who will now only focus on parliamentary duties. Zungula was appointed as the ATM president when it was formed and registered in 2018. The ATM has already held several congresses, but not to elect its leaders. 'The ATM has used the system of appointment since its inception in 2018 because the system of elections, when the party is in its infancy, kills the political party,' said its spokesperson, Zama Ntshona. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He said the ATM had learnt that there would be people who would masquerade as members of the party but whose actual interest is to divide it after being elected. 'When we are going to an elective congress, they can use underhanded tactics and even hand over the party to the capitalists that fund the rise and fall of regimes. 'Therefore, we wanted to protect ourselves from those people by choosing the system of appointment,' he said. The party, which in the 2019 and 2024 general elections obtained two seats in the national Parliament, announced on Monday that Zungula would now only be focused on parliamentary matters, while Nongqunga focused on building the party brick by brick. Ntshona on Tuesday said that the decision to restructure party leadership was because it has not grown fast enough. 'We don't have time anymore, time is against us,' said Ntshona. He said that after last year's May 29 general elections, the party went through the process of self-evaluation. He said during this process, the party concluded that 'Zungula was truly untouchable' as an exemplary parliamentarian despite having taken over the party leadership with no political background, having been a former 'church boy'. 'He was able to hold a seventh-year presidency in Parliament, and he did this with distinction,' he said. Ntshona said Zungula would now have to focus his energy on holding the government accountable for its failure to deal with social ills that are ravaging the country. 'From 2023, there were 4,500 people who were abducted for ransom in South Africa, close to 80 murders a day, and 20 million people who are subject to abject poverty, with close to 70% of the youth unemployed, and the economy is not growing. 'We have moved in the last seven years, but we have not moved significantly enough to stop all the issues that we keep raising in Parliament,' he said. Ntshona said the party then decided to decentralise its political functions 'so that we can be more effective'. 'We have fewer seats while there are more portfolios in Parliament, and we have the president (Zungula) having to bear the burden of also having to monitor the functionality and the growth of the party of which we felt like it is a bit too much. 'We said let us introduce this approach of Vuyo Zungula to continue doing that as the party leader in Parliament, while Professor Nongqunga, who is the visionary as the one who started the ATM, stops working behind the scenes,' said Ntshona. He said everything that the party had been doing since its inception was in collaboration with Nongqunga, who, while not seen being active in the party's affairs, worked behind the scenes from strategy to advocacy, including building houses and starting agricultural schemes for the poor. 'We are saying (Nongqunga) come out of the shadows and be on the right-hand side so that our plane can fly without any challenges because we are looking for faster growth, and the faster growth can come when we decentralise the office of the president,' said Ntshona.

Breakthrough in Sindiso Magaqa murder case: one accused pleads guilty
Breakthrough in Sindiso Magaqa murder case: one accused pleads guilty

IOL News

time10 hours ago

  • IOL News

Breakthrough in Sindiso Magaqa murder case: one accused pleads guilty

Sindiso Magaqa, a rising star within the ANC and former secretary-general of the Youth League, was seen as one of the more outspoken and reformist figures within the party at the time of his death. He was also a vocal critic of corruption. Image: Supplied Nearly eight years after the assassination of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, a key breakthrough in the long-running murder case has finally arrived. One of the four men charged with his killing, Sibusiso Ncengwa, has pleaded guilty in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, admitting to pulling the trigger in the 2017 shooting. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara confirmed that Ncengwa, who was charged alongside Sbonelo Myeza, Mlungisi Ncalane and Mbulelo Mpofana, admitted to the murder of Magaqa and several related crimes during court proceedings on 6 June 2025. His confession marks a pivotal moment in a case that has drawn national attention and exposed deep political tensions in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the NPA, Ncengwa submitted formal admissions in terms of Section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act. These included admitting to the murder of Magaqa on 13 July 2017 in uMzimkhulu, the attempted murder of Jabulile Msiya, Nonsikelelo Mafa and Nceba Mazongolo, malicious damage to property involving the victims' vehicles, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The court found Ncengwa guilty based on his admissions. His sentencing is scheduled for 30 June 2025. Meanwhile, his co-accused, Myeza and Mpofana, will appear in court on 19 June 2025 for a new indictment following the separation of their trial from Ncengwa's. The fourth accused, Mlungisi Ncalane, has been declared unfit to stand trial and is currently admitted to a psychiatric facility. Ncengwa's detailed confession outlined the planning, coordination, and execution of the attack, implicating all the accused in a plot that has long been suspected to be politically motivated. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Sindiso Magaqa, a rising star within the ANC and former secretary-general of the Youth League, was seen as one of the more outspoken and reformist figures within the party at the time of his death. He was also a vocal critic of corruption, particularly in local government structures in KwaZulu-Natal, and had begun to challenge maladministration in the uMzimkhulu municipality where he served as a councillor. His assassination in 2017 shocked the nation and deepened fears about the growing number of politically motivated killings in the province. Magaqa was shot multiple times in what police described as a "targeted hit" and succumbed to his injuries weeks later in a Durban hospital. At the time of his death, tensions within the ANC were high, with factional battles and contestation for positions often spilling over into violence. Many observers linked his murder to his anti-corruption stance and his efforts to expose irregularities in tender processes. Since 2017, the case has suffered from delays, threats to witnesses, and allegations of political interference. The guilty plea by Ncengwa is the first significant development in years, offering hope that justice may finally be within reach for Magaqa's family and supporters. With Ncengwa's confession now on the record, the prosecution is expected to build a stronger case against the remaining accused. Eight witnesses have already testified, and more are expected as the trial resumes. As sentencing looms and the remaining accused prepare for trial, the court proceedings may finally uncover the full truth behind a killing that has left a lasting scar on South African politics.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store