Latest news with #MayibuyeConsultationProcess
IOL News
43 minutes ago
- Politics
- IOL News
News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on June 27, 2025
The MK Party slams the Government of National Unity, calling it dysfunctional and ideologically divided, following a Cabinet reshuffle and the dismissal of Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield. Good evening, IOL News family! It's Friday, June 27, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know 'I must unconditionally retract': Floyd Shivambu apologises for drug use accusations against Ndhlela Former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has retracted his statement accusing the party's spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, of drug use after Ndhlela took legal action against him for defamation. To read on, click here. MK Party, ActionSA slam Ramaphosa's cabinet reshuffle and GNU failures The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has condemned what it calls the continued dysfunction and ideological incoherence of South Africa's Government of National Unity (GNU), following the Cabinet reshuffle and the dismissal of Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield. To read on, click here. Winter driving on N3 Toll Route: Night travel risk highlighted as storm warnings issued As the winter school holidays start on Saturday, authorities are urging motorists to approach travel across South Africa's roads with extreme caution, particularly on the busy N3 Toll Route between Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal and Heidelberg in Gauteng. To read on, click here. Road Accident Fund addresses SCOPA inquiry into financial management The Road Accident Fund has maintained that it has increased the money paid to claimants and lowered its costs, as Parliament's watchdog is set to begin a full inquiry into claims of mismanagement and wasteful spending at the Fund. To read on, click here. Former MK, EFF members to be part of Floyd Shivambu's Mayibuye consultation process Former members of the MK Party, including Patrick Sindane, Luther Lebelo, and Menzi Magubane, alongside former EFF members Vusi Khoza and Fana Mokoena, have been appointed as leaders of the Mayibuye Consultation Process. To read on click here. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The South African
an hour ago
- Politics
- The South African
Sorry, not sorry? Floyd Shivambu apologises over 'drugs' allegations
Floyd Shivambu has issued a back-handed apology to MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, whom he accused of abusing drugs and alcohol. The former secretary-general made a public apology after he was served with a legal letter of demand and another to appear in court for defamation. At a press conference last week, Floyd mentioned another MK Party member – supposedly Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla – who he claimed 'took drugs and tweeted at night'. He has since claimed that his comments were not directed at her. Speaking at the Mayibuye Consultation Process dialogue on Friday, 27 June, Floyd Shivambu addressed his comments about his fellow MK Party colleague. 'I must unconditionally retract the statements about drug use and alcohol abuse of Nhlamulo Ndhlela'. However, he added, 'But we take this opportunity to encourage all the people of South Africa to stay away from drugs and alcohol. If they are members of parliament or leaders of different political parties. 'Drugs will never build you, they will make a lot of mistakes'. Floyd Shivambu's apology comes hours after Nhlamulo Ndhlela posted a screenshot of his court summons over his claims of defamation. On Wednesday, Nhlamulo posted a letter of demand addressed to Floyd, demanding a public apology, retraction of comments, and a warning to cease defamatory comments. In an interview with eNCA earlier this week, Floyd Shivambu took aim at Nhlamulo Ndhlela, whom he labelled a 'imbecile' and a 'foolish leader of the MK Party'. He said: 'He's [Ndhlela] always on drugs and always high on alcohol in terms of how he deals with issues.' Floyd also accused Nhlamulo of spreading misinformation about him. He continued: 'He will use the otherwise very gullible and directionless daughter of President Zuma, who has front-row access to him by virtue of being his daughter.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Floyd Shivambu unveils Mayibuye consultation process, enlisting former EFF and MK leaders for dialogue
Less than a week after Floyd Shivambu announced he would be consulting various communities about launching a new political party, he announced some familiar names that are taking part. And there were jibes at the MK party, too. Former members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party were named among volunteers and leadership for the Mayibuye Consultation Process, with Floyd Shivambu being the convener of the process. On Friday, 27 June, one week after Shivambu announced he was starting a process to determine if he should launch a new political party, he held a media briefing to announce the names of the individuals who would assist. They include former EFF MPs Vusi Khoza and Fana Mokoena and former MK party members Patrick Sindane, Menzi Magubane and Bishop Stephen Zondo. The names also included those of ordinary volunteers, union workers, religious leaders and former student leaders from across the country. Shivambu announced last week that he will consult communities and groups to gauge whether he should launch his own political party to contest the 2026 local government elections. His announcement came after his reported dismissal from the MK party, a mere 10 ten months after he joined it and was named as its secretary-general. However, Shivambu claimed last week that he is still a member of the MK party, which allows for dual membership. Shivambu told journalists on Friday that this consultative process will include existing political parties and their members, claiming that members of the Government of National Unity , including the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance had talks with the consultative forum. 'If other political parties are willing to listen to us, we will also talk to them to appraise them of the process that we are engaged in,' Shivambu said. He claimed that more than '10 represented political parties that have approached us represented in different municipality councils […] said that they would want to form part of the Mayibuye consultation process, and these parties come from all corners of South Africa'. Shivambu said one of the reasons for the consultations is that those leading it 'think that the organisations that are supposed to be the fighting instruments on behalf of the oppressed masses of our people are not adequate enough to fight the battles ahead. We don't have confidence in the ANC; we don't have confidence in the MK; we don't have confidence in the EFF; and those are the three biggest black organisations'. Shivambu has been a member of all three parties. 'We are going […] to listen as to what is to be done, and that will guide us as to what we do moving forward,' he said. Shivambu took a swipe at President Ramaphosa's planned National Dialogue. 'We are here today to start a process of the real national dialogue as to what is to be done and this national dialogue that we are beginning is not like the highly expensive talk shop, which is convened by the South African government which clearly will have predetermined outcomes.' Shivambu also took swipes at fellow MK party members. Earlier on Friday, EWN reported that MK party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, is taking legal action against Shivambu, demanding R3-million in damages after Shivambu allegedly accused Ndhlela of drug and alcohol abuse. Shivambu said that as part of the new consultative process, he had 'benefited' from leadership in terms of how they should handle certain things. 'And part of that guidance is that I must unconditionally retract the statement of drug use and alcohol abuse of Nhlamulo Ndhlela unconditionally, but we take this opportunity to tell the people of South Africa to stay away from drugs and to stay away from alcohol, particularly if they are members of Parliament and members of leadership of different political parties,' he said. DM
IOL News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Floyd Shivambu defends Bishop Zondo against sexual assault charges
Former MK Party secretary general has defended Bishop Stephen Zondo facing 10 charges of sexual assault, saying that he didn't commit any crime. Image: Oupa Mokoena/African News Agency (ANA) National convener of the Mayibuye Consultation, Group Floyd Shivambu, defended Bishop Raymond Zondo, asserting his innocence despite Zondo facing ten charges of sexual assault and rape involving seven women, some of whom are members of his church. 'Pastor Zondo is not convicted of any crime,' Shivambu told reporters during a media briefing Friday in Midrand. 'He is a religious leader who has been leading for a very long time.' Zondo, who is the leader of Rivers of Living Waters Ministries, is currently on trial at the Pretoria High Court. Nevertheless, Shivambu argued that Zondo's leadership experience and contributions to community organising warrant his inclusion in the Mayibuye Consultation Process. 'He has been playing multiple leadership roles in his community and in other organisations we came from,' Shivambu said. 'He was coordinating a large nationwide inter-religious movement.' Shivambu, who was recently ousted as secretary-general of the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), said the Mayibuye group did not make a mistake in recruiting Zondo as part of its consultation process. 'If you have a leadership structure of a national organisation in South Africa today without religious leaders, then that is not a national and true representative structure of the people of South Africa,' he said. Shivambu said more than 80% of South Africans identify as religious, mostly Christian, and argued that church leaders often act as community leaders. 'Because the majority of our people, in all honesty, do not know where to find their public representatives. They don't know where the councillors are. They don't know where their members of the provincial legislature are,' he said. 'Whenever they've got serious problems, they go to abafundisi (pastors) and express their concerns.' Shivambu said that church leaders have deeper insight into the day-to-day challenges faced by communities than elected public officials. Among others, the leadership of the Mayibuye Consultation Process includes former MK Party members Patrick Sindane, Luther Lebelo and Menzi Magubane, as well as former Economic Freedom Fighters members Vusi Khoza and Fana Mokoena. Also announced as part of the leadership were former ANC member Lazola Ndamase, veteran radio broadcaster Sydney Baloyi, including rape-accused Zondo. Shivambu's latest defence of a controversial religious figure follows his recent political fallout with the MK Party. He was removed from his position as secretary-general last month after an unsanctioned visit to self-proclaimed Prophet Shepherd 'Papa' Bushiri in Malawi. Bushiri and his wife, Mary, fled South Africa in 2020 while out on bail for charges including fraud, money laundering and rape. A Malawian court recently approved South Africa's extradition request for the couple, though they have filed an appeal. At the time, Shivambu said no formal concerns had been raised within the MK Party and that he would not respond to 'faceless voices' on social media. Now, once again, he finds himself defending a religious leader facing serious allegations. 'We did not make a mistake,' he said. 'A lot of religious leaders asked him to pay closer attention to this process, so that they could still have a voice.' IOL Politics
IOL News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Former MK, EFF members to be part of Floyd Shivambu's Mayibuye consultation process
Former MK Party secretary general Fooyd Shivambu, has unveilled members of the national consultation that may lead to a new political party. Image: Floyd Shivambu/X Former members of the MK Party, including Patrick Sindane, Luther Lebelo, and Menzi Magubane, alongside former EFF members Vusi Khoza and Fana Mokoena, have been appointed as leaders of the Mayibuye Consultation Process. This announcement was made by Floyd Shivambu, the former secretary-general of the MK Party, during a press briefing held on Friday in Midrand, Johannesburg. Shivambu also announced that former ANC member Lazola Ndamase and the controversial Bishop Stephen Zondo, leader of the Rivers of Living Waters Ministries, are part of the leadership team. Zondo has faced serious allegations of sexual assault, with many of the accusers being members of his church. Additionally, veteran radio broadcaster Sydney Baloyi has joined the group. Shivambu announced that he will be the national convener of both the Mayibuye National Consultation Team and the Mayibuye Consultation Process. He said the group will engage in public consultations, after which a national convention will be held to decide the next steps. 'Then we will prepare - if the mandate is that we must contest the 2026 local government elections and the 2029 general elections, we're going to do so and win those elections decisively,' he said. Shivambu was recently removed from his position as deputy secretary-general of the MK Party and excluded from the list of new MPs sworn into Parliament. 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 ✕ Last week, he announced plans to launch a consultation committee to determine whether there is a need for a new political party. 'But all of that is dependent on the work we are going to do in different communities,' Shivambu said. 'The people of South Africa, you are all called upon with humility from us to be tolerant with the process we're engaged in and to make meaningful contributions - shape a movement, if it is a movement that we are going to pursue.' Shivambu added, 'Let us move away from organisations that are nothing but family projects. Let us constitute national movements that are representative of all our people, that are honest, that are transparent, and that will inspire hope.' He added that several political parties have expressed interest in the Mayibuye Consultation Process. 'More than 10 political parties, represented in various municipal councils, have approached us saying they would like to be part of the consultation process,' he said. 'These parties come from all corners of South Africa.'
