Latest news with #Shivambu
TimesLIVE
9 hours ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
'I'll never apologise for visiting Bushiri's church': Shivambu
MK Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu will not apologise for his visit to the church of fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi over the Easter weekend. Shivambu's visit to Bushiri's church sparked condemnation from his party and the justice and constitutional development ministry, labelling it a 'blatant act of disrespect towards South Africa's legal system'. Despite that, Shivambu expressed no regret about his actions. 'One thing I will never apologise for is when I went to see prophet Shepherd Bushiri, and he said, 'Let's go to church'. I said, 'I'll go to church',' he said in an interview with Newzroom Afrika. Bushiri and his wife Mary fled South Africa in 2020 after being granted bail on charges including fraud and money laundering. A Malawian court recently granted South Africa's request to extradite the couple to face charges, including rape and fraud, and they have indicated their intention to appeal.
Daily Maverick
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Shivambu still at odds with MK leadership over visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri
Shivambu visited Shepherd Bushiri's Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church over the Easter weekend, which drew widespread criticism for appearing to embolden those who believe they can evade accountability. A month after his controversial visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri's church in Malawi, uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu says the trip to Malawi was approved by party president Jacob Zuma, despite the party denouncing the visit to Bushiri as having been taken on Shivambu's own accord and not sanctioned by MK leadership. Shivambu visited Bushiri's Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church over the Easter weekend in April, a move that drew widespread criticism for appearing to embolden those who believe they can evade accountability. On Wednesday, 28 May, the SABC's political editor, Mzwandile Mbeje, asked Shivambu why he had visited a fugitive wanted by the South African authorities. Shivambu replied that on 21 March, after he and Zuma attended the inauguration of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 'we were sitting with former president Joyce Banda of Malawi. And we were also sitting with the incumbent Deputy President, Michael Usi of Malawi … and President Zuma said that we must make follow-up on the discussions that were raised.' Shivambu said he went to Malawi in accordance with Zuma's wishes and visited Banda. 'After that, I went to see Prophet Shepherd Bushiri to have broad discussions. I know him. We used to have interactions when he was here in South Africa, and then he said, 'I am going to a church service later on, let's go.' Who am I to refuse to go to a church?' Mbeje questioned him about a statement the MK party released distancing itself from his meeting with Bushiri. The statement said Shivambu undertook the visit in his personal capacity and without the mandate or knowledge of the MK party. Shivambu said on Wednesday, 'I think the unfortunate statement was out of the misunderstanding of what got to transpire in terms of the visit itself.' 'We stand by the statement' MK party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, however, told Daily Maverick on Thursday that the party stood by the statement, which was sanctioned by the party's presidency and released several hours after videos and images of Shivambu at the church began circulating on social media. He said Zuma's office would have corrected the statement if there had been a misunderstanding. 'We do not just issue statements. They go through checks and balances first. If we didn't stand by the statement, the president would have released a statement by now to say it was not true. Have you seen a statement from the office of the president? Have you seen the party retract any statements?' said Ndhlela. Probed further, Ndhlela said he had reached out to Shivambu: 'I have asked the SG to clarify where the misunderstanding was. As a leader of the organisation, this concerns me, because to protect the organisation, we have to be honest with our people.' Shivambu declined Daily Maverick's request to comment further on the issue. Defending Bushiri Bushiri fled South Africa in 2020 while facing charges that included rape and fraud. His and his wife's departure from South Africa was described as a direct violation of their bail conditions and prompted an official extradition request to the Malawian government. The request was subsequently delivered at the office of the Attorney-General in Malawi on 5 December 2020. The South African government has since been attempting to extradite the pair through a complicated legal process. In March 2025, a Malawian court ruled that the Bushiris could be extradited to South Africa, but they were expected to appeal the decision. Shivambu defended himself saying: 'I am not a law enforcement agency, one; but two, factually, there is no court ruling in Malawi which South Africa has been pursuing to declare or characterise Bushiri as a fugitive. If there was such, the Malawian government would have handed him over.' At the time of visiting the church, Bushiri welcomed Shivambu as a businessman, politician and family man, announcing his presence and support for African affairs. 'Sadly, some still peddle jealousy and negativity, labelling successful black individuals as 'corrupt' and 'must be investigated', while praising white individuals as 'investors'. That's not pan-Africanism; that's jealousy. Let's move beyond politics of attrition,' said Bushiri. Internal division Shivambu's future in the MK party appears to be somewhat bleak. When he joined the party in August 2024, there was huge opposition from those who had founded or joined before his defection from the EFF. One his harshest critics is Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who is said to be part of a faction that believes that high-profile members who came from the EFF and ANC and were parachuted into senior positions, including Shivambu, Dali Mpofu, Mzwanele Manyi and Willies Mchunu, are destroying what the 'December 2023 crew' had started. In February, Zuma-Sambudla went on a rant on X, making negative remarks and insulting Shivambu with comments that he was 'the worst thing that happened to MK', 'useless', and calling him ' Mafikizolo ', which loosely translates to 'newcomer'. Zuma's office instructed her to apologise or face expulsion from the party and she apologised. The same faction has criticised Shivambu's leadership style, highlighting his removal of regional and subregional leaders, his takeover of finances, and his decision to strictly monitor access to Zuma — a move he defended as a characteristic 'of all self-respecting organisations'. In March, Daily Maverick reported that Mxolisi Mthethwa, the party's Zululand coordinator, had raised concerns about Shivambu's leadership, citing poor decision-making, lack of consultation and abuse of power. In a formal letter, he called for an investigation and possible disciplinary action, including removing Shivambu from office. However, Magasela Mzobe, the party's head of presidency, defended Shivambu, saying: 'The president and the collective leadership of the MK party have full confidence in the secretary-general and the president has no intention of removing him.' DM
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
After Manyi's axing, focus now turns to MKP's Floyd Shivambu's future in the party
MK Party leader Jacob Zuma is said to be considering sacking Floyd Shivambu as a Secretary-General of the party. Image: archives The Jacob Zuma led MK Party (MKP) decision to axe Zuma's longtime confidante Mzwanele Manyi as Chief Whip has raised questions over the future of the current Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu. It has been reported that Manyi's removal as a party's parliamentary chief whip was prompted by his fallout with Zuma's deputy John Hlophe and stemmed from the State of the Nation Address debate where Manyi reportedly duped Hlophe into delivering a speech under the pretext that it was supplied by Zuma. It later emerged that Manyi had allegedly lied and the two exchanged heated arguments in front of the caucus members in a meeting which many said almost degenerated into physical fight. Party insiders said Manyi's removal signaled that more significant changes were to come and Shivambu's position was tenuous, especially after he had a fallout with Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela on Thursday dismissed the suggestions that Shivambu would be axed as 'rumours', accusing those behind these messages of being 'sensationalists'. "There is no correlation between Manyi's removal as chief whip and Shivambu. What does Manyi's removal have to do with the work of our SG. People always want to speculate (about these) things and we have heard this for a long time. There is no truth in this," said Ndhlela. Party members from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the fact that Duduzile was not charged for publicly insulting Shivambu was a sign that Zuma was not prepared to sacrifice her over Shivambu. 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 ✕ Ad loading In February Zuma-Sambudla issued a public apology after using social media platform X to hurl insults at Shivambu. 'I do not think Shivambu will survive the coming political changes in the party. His issue is not only with Duduzile but also with party members in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng who are not comfortable with his leadership style. When Phumlani Mfeka resigned as both a party member and a member in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, he cited issues with Shivambu as one of the reasons,' said a source. Mfeka, who is the leader socio-economic group Injeje which is advocating for African nationalism, commands a lot of support from traditional leaders - something that Zuma regarding as an important constituency for his party. Dissenting voices within MKP have also been complaining about the parachuting of newcomers in the party, saying they were given senior positions while the founding members were being overlooked. Addressing the media on the sidelines of the national high command in Durban last month, Shivhambu dispelled rumours that there were members of the party who were not happy with his leadership and presence in the party. He said no member has raised these issues in the formal meetings of the party and he would not entertain faceless voices on social media platforms.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘He's talking rubbish,' Malema responds to Shivambu's comments on EFF
Shivambu claims the MK party can successfully recruit EFF members. EFF leader Julius Malema has responded to MK party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu's comments about EFF leaders. In an interview with the SABC on Wednesday, Shivambu dismissed claims that the MK party was out to destroy the EFF. He, however, said his party could successfully recruit EFF leaders if it wished. 'I'm the one who took the decision to join the MK party, I was not recruited. I went to join the MK party. I approached the MK party to become an ordinary member,' Shivambu told SABC. ALSO READ: 'My brothers turned against me': Malema addresses 'betrayals' 'There is no one who is destroying the EFF. If there was an intention to do so, we could have a programme to recruit members of the EFF to join MK party, which we can successfully do so, by the way, including the national officials of the EFF, we can be able to recruit them. Because a lot of them, when we appraised them before we joined the MK, understood squarely and fairly that it had to be done in that particular way. Including provincial and regional leaders.' Shivambu said, however, that the focus of his party was to unite 'progressive forces', not destroy them 'It can be done, but we're not in a mission of trying to destroy the EFF. We're on a mission to make a political and ideological organisational decision and discussion on how we can unite the progressive forces.' ALSO READ: Mbuyiseni Ndlozi resigns from Julius Malema's EFF: Here's what he is doing next Responding to the comments, Malema said Shivambu was 'talking rubbish'. Malema: EFF and MK party will not join forces In March, the MK party and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) agreed to collaborate on all political, community, and parliamentary programmes and activities. 'We jointly call on all progressive political formations and individuals in South Africa to support and associate with the revolutionary and long overdue efforts to unify all the progressive forces. Unity is the most important weapon in the war against colonialism and for the total emancipation and freedom of our people,' said the two parties in a statement. ALSO READ: Even Zuma was better than Trump – Malema Following President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to the US, where Minister of Agriculture and DA leader John Steenhuisen told US President Donald Trump that his party and the ANC were working together to keep the MK party and EFF out of power, there were calls for the latter parties to join forces. However, Malema at the time told his followers it would not happen. Shivambu left the EFF in August last year, completely blind siding Malema. The two have not had kind words to say of each other since then. READ NEXT: 'Older men gossiping about me': Malema reacts to Ramaphosa-Trump meeting after Kill the Boer videos
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Floyd Shivambu uses Africa Day message to take aim at Ramaphosa following White House meeting
MK Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu has sharply criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa's conduct during a US visit. Image: Siphiwe Emacous Moyo/Independent Newspapers uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling his recent visit to the United States with President Donald Trump an 'embarrassment'. Shivambu further accused Ramaphosa of 'begging' for help combating crime in South Africa. Speaking during Africa Day celebrations in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, on Sunday, Shivambu lambasted Ramaphosa for what he described as a display of 'colonial mannerisms' during the bilateral meeting. 'We are here to beg you; you must come and fight crime for us. We are even offering our rare minerals,' said Shivambu. 'You could see him, 'No boss, we are tiny. (referring to Ramaphosa) We appreciate you. We are nothing without you.'' Ramaphosa's visit to Washington comes amid strained relations between South Africa and the United States, which worsened during Trump's second term. Tensions flared over US criticism of South Africa's land reform policy, with Trump accusing the country of seizing land from white Afrikaner farmers, a claim the South African government has repeatedly denied. Relations further deteriorated after the US government cut HIV and AIDS funding to South Africa and recently granted refugee status to 49 white South Africans, citing racial discrimination, another claim the South African government rejects. Ramaphosa was accompanied by several high-profile figures, including Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, and Minister of Agriculture and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen. Business leaders and athletes such as professional golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, as well as billionaire Johann Rupert, also joined the delegation. 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 ✕ Shivambu slammed the inclusion of Els in the discussions, saying that he 'thanked America for helping fight in Angola in the 1980s,' referring to the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. He further argued the battle was a turning point in South Africa's liberation struggle and credited Cuban and Soviet forces with pressuring the apartheid regime into negotiations. 'The apartheid government was assisted by the United States of America,' Shivambu said. 'But in that room, our delegation says, 'Thank you for fighting against freedom.' Ramaphosa says nothing.' He accused the African National Congress (ANC) of betraying its liberation legacy and acting as a 'stooge' of neocolonial and apartheid interests. 'President Zuma (MK Party leader) was correct,' he said. 'Ramaphosa is nothing but a puppet of neocolonial and apartheid forces. The ANC is captured.' Shivambu said that MK Party is the only remaining 'dependable vehicle' for black South Africans to reclaim full freedom. 'It doesn't matter what age I am,' he added. 'Let's constitute ourselves as Umkhonto weSizwe to fight for our total freedom.' IOL Politics
