Latest news with #FloydShivambu
Mail & Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Calls for Shivambu's head a result of ‘tribalism', say his supporters
MK party secretary general Floyd Shivambu. (Photo: Luba Lesolle/Gallo Images) A faction in the uMkhonto weSizwe party aligned to traditional leaders is calling for a leadership change that could affect not only Floyd Shivambu This content is restricted to subscribers only . Join the M&G Community Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently. Subscription enables: - M&G community membership - independent journalism - access to all premium articles & features - a digital version of the weekly newspaper - invites to subscriber-only events - the opportunity to test new online features first Already a subscriber?
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
MK Party accuses ANC of abusing state resources ahead of Mpofana by-election
Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu demands IEC intervention, slamming ANC and MEC Simelane for turning government programmes into campaign tools just days before the Mpofana by-election. Image: Facebook The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has accused the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal of abusing government resources for party-political campaigning ahead of next week's crucial by-election in Ward 4, Mpofana Local Municipality. The MK Party claims that state programmes are being manipulated to give the ANC an unfair electoral advantage and has lodged an official complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). IOL previously reported that the MK Party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, is rapidly gaining traction in eThekwini following several recent by-election wins. In a formal letter signed by MKP secretary general Floyd Shivambu, the party condemned a public event organised by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane, scheduled for Friday, just five days before the by-election. 'The uMkhonto we Sizwe party had noted with dismay and shock, a poster purported to be issued by the MEC, inviting community members to a government event, a mere five days before the actual by-election,' the letter reads. It argues that the event 'may directly influence the electoral choices given the immediacy and active campaigning by other political parties competing with the political party of MEC Simelane in the same community. It is effectively a political campaign using state resources.' The MK party sees this as part of a broader pattern. 'We are raising the Department of Health programme in Ward 4 Mpofana, because prior to the By-Elections in Ward 18 Mandeni, the Department of Health also held another programme in Mandeni Ward 18 on the 26th of April 2025, which was 4 days before the Election Day,' the letter states. MK argues these events are timed to sway voters in favour of the ANC, adding that 'it is not a coincidence, it is abuse of State resources to campaign for the African National Congress.' The letter further cites violations of the Electoral Act and calls for the event to be halted and rescheduled. On X (formerly Twitter), Shivambu echoed the party's outrage, stating, 'The ANC in KwaZulu Natal is abusing government resources by misusing government budget for party political campaigns in By-Elections. ''In Mandeni Ward 18, they channelled a government event to the Ward, 4 days before elections. We, as uMkhonto weSizwe, defeated them despite misuse of government resources.' He warned that similar tactics in Mpofana will fail: 'They are now doing the same thing in Mpofana Ward will defeat them again in Mpofana Ward 4.'
IOL News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Sanef and partners launch initiative to protect journalists and human rights defenders
Sanef, Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and Amnesty International SA launched a new initiative to protect journalists and human rights defenders. Image: - Human rights organisations and the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) have launched a new initiative to protect journalists and human rights defenders from any form of threat and intimidation. Sanef, Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and Amnesty International SA, launched 'Create Project' to safeguard journalists and human rights from rising threats in the form of online abuse, physical intimidation, surveillance and harassment. The project, called Capacitating Resilience, Enhancing Accountability and Transforming the Environment (Create), aims to strengthen the protection of journalists and human rights defenders in Southern Africa. The organisations said journalists and human rights defenders in South Africa and the region are facing rising threats in the form of online abuse, physical intimidation, surveillance and harassment in the face of a global anti-rights movement. This comes as the organisations celebrated World Freedom Day on Saturday. May 3 acts as a reminder to the governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. The organisations said the initiative recognised that attacks on media freedom and civic activism were not isolated and that they are part of a broader pattern aimed at silencing truth and undermining the democratic space. The project is designed to push back against that. In March 2018, former EFF deputy president, Floyd Shivambu, who is now the umKhonto weSizwe (MK) party secretary general, was caught on camera intimidating a multimedia journalist Adrian de Kock outside parliament. In 2020, police in Swaziland raided the home of Zweli Martin Dlami, the editor of the Swaziland News, and arrested him for two articles he published about King Mswati III, lying about the political and economic situation and accusing him of promoting a cultural ceremony where women could be sexually abused. His laptops, cellphones, hard drives and other electronic devices were also seized. In April 2021, SABC Radio news journalist Phanuel Shuma was forced to lay a charge of intimidation with police after brothers Manqoba and Lucky Khoza, who were accused of murder and a prosecutor accused of taking a bribe, wanted him to derail their case, at his workplace in Pretoria. In 2022, human rights defenders Ayanda Ngila and Siyabonga Manqele were murdered and joined the growing list of activists who have been assassinated for their work, like environmental activist Mam'Fikile Ntshangase and whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who were killed for their role in advocating for the rights of marginalised communties and speaking out against corruption. The new initiative aims to build a safe, supportive, and responsive environment where journalists can do their work without fear, and where defenders of human rights can continue to raise their voices without being punished for it. Sanef executive director Reggy Moalusi said, 'This is a key training initiative, coming at the right time when journalists across southern Africa are increasingly being harassed and intimidated. We seek to see a better environment where journalists are better treated and are allowed to do their work without any fear of being hunted down by those who simply hate the work they do, and they are afraid of being exposed for all the wrongdoing.' At the core of the project is the development of a system where journalists can report threats and harassment safely and confidentially. These reports will not only help secure emergency support for those in immediate danger but will also contribute to a growing body of evidence that can be used to hold perpetrators accountable and influence legal and policy reforms. Amnesty International SA executive director Shenilla Mohamed said, 'This is an important project which underscores the work Amnesty International South Africa, along with other organisations, has been doing on human rights defenders. Journalists, like all human rights defenders, need to be protected. Attacks on journalists ultimately restrict the right to freedom of expression in the country and have the potential to limit the right of the public to access accurate information in the public interest. A vibrant and free press is a key building block of any society.' By collecting and analysing data on threats and trends, the CREATE project will help shape more informed responses from policymakers, media organizations, and human rights institutions. The aim is to close the gaps that currently allow perpetrators of harassment and violence to act without consequence. The organisations added that to protect press freedom, the broader environment must be safe for all defenders of rights and democracy. The project strengthens referral networks and access to information so that more defenders, not just those in major cities or established media, can get help when they need it most.
IOL News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
MK Party defends Shivambu amid Bushiri controversy
THE uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has dismissed rumours that Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu was leaving the party following his controversial visit to Malawi over the Easter weekend. Shivambu, the EFF former deputy president, drew backlash after he was seen attending a service at the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church, led by self-proclaimed prophet and fugitive Shepherd Bushiri. Following his now controversial visit, Shivambu's opponents in the MKP, the organisation led by former president Jacob Zuma, were now baying for his blood. An MKP insider said: 'We can't have an SG (secretary-general), who wines and dines with fugitives of justice. We want our president (Zuma) to discipline Shivambu so that this does not create unnecessary tension within our party.' In a widely circulated video, Shivambu praised Bushiri's work, calling it "unparalleled" in uplifting communities across Africa. The visit drew sharp criticism, including from the Ministry of Justice, which accused Shivambu of undermining South Africa's legal system.
The Herald
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald
‘There won't be a VAT increase because of MK Party': Shivambu claims credit, calls for Godongwana's resignation
MK Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has taken credit for the reversal of the proposed value added tax (VAT) hike, saying 'there won't be a VAT increase because of the MK Party". On Thursday, finance minister Enoch Godongwana announced the contentious hike has been scrapped after extensive consultations with political parties and parliamentary committee recommendations. Speaking to supporters on the sidelines of MKP leader Jacob Zuma's court case in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, Shivambu said: 'It's only the MK Party that went to the streets to reject the VAT increase. There is no other political party that went to march against the increase.' The proposed VAT hike was opposed by several political parties. The DA and EFF challenged it in court while other parties, including ActionSA, Build One SA and the IFP, engaged with the ANC to find alternative solutions to raise revenue. 'When others were trying to discuss VAT in court and in parliament it's only us who went to the ground to reject the VAT increase because we know you cannot win in the courts or in the boardrooms what you have not won on the ground,' Shivambu said. He called for Godongwana's immediate resignation, accusing him of attempting to maul the working class and poor people with the VAT hike. 'He must step down with immediate effect. We cannot continue to be led by people who do not have ideas on what to do with this country.' The MKP is not the only party claiming credit for the VAT increase reversal. Build One SA leader Mmusi Maimane praised the negotiations with the ANC, saying they led to the decision to scrap the VAT hike. 'When we voted in support of the fiscal framework, misinformation campaigns came at us fast and loud. But we didn't waver,' Maimane said. 'We knew responsible negotiations around the table were the best way to find agreement to stop the proposed 0.5% percentage-point VAT increase, and today that's exactly what's happened.' The DA also believes the reversal was a result of its opposition to the tax increase. The party challenged the process by filing an urgent application in the Western Cape high court to contest the constitutionality of the increase and procedural flaws in tabling it. 'From the outset, the DA has opposed the tax increase, highlighting its impact on struggling South African households,' said DA federal chair Helen Zille. 'This exposed the arbitrary power the minister of finance sought to wield in imposing the VAT hike. The approach by lawyers acting on behalf of the minister with a proposal for an out of court settlement to scrap the VAT hike marks a critical turning point in the battle. It is clear the Treasury had no choice but to reverse its decision in the face of our relentless and strategic legal pressure.' TimesLIVE
