By The Deputy President of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Mr Floyd Shivambu has announced his resignation from the party on Thursday, 15 August 2024, during a presser at the EFF’s headquarters in Johannesburg.
Shivambu said his resignation came after taking a decision to join the uMkhontho weSizwe Party (MKP). He related that his branch called him to renew his membership, but he made his intensions to resign known to his branch in ward 44, and asked to be relieved from all his responsibilities in the party.
“Just to give clarity so that there is no speculation, I have decided not to renew the membership of the EFF because I will join and participate in uMkhonto weSizwe Party, I am not going to speak here in Winnie Madikizela house as to what is the bases of that because that would be tantamount to campaigning already for uMkhonto weSizwe Party. So I’m going to be actively involved in uMkhonto weSizwe Party and shape its direction and politics that are obtaining in South Africa today,” said Floyd Shivambu.
Shivambu said he is moving over to the MK without any promises, his is that of making an impactful contribution to the politics of MK party. He said there is no position nor deployment to parliament promised to him; it is his sole decision to leave the EFF that he co-founded to join Jacob Zuma.
A visibly heartbroken Julius Malema said though the resignation comes as a surprise, he has accepted it and further confirmed that there will be more members leaving the party with Floyd Shivambu as part of showing their allegiance to the Deputy President.
“When he sent me the letter yesterday, I felt the same pain when I lost my mother because Floyd to me, is not just a comrade, he is a brother,” said Julius Malema.
Malema said when he received the news that Shivambu is resigning, he requested a meeting with him, and they had a long meeting at Shivambu’s place on Wednesday night where they had lengthy talks.
Malema said he told Floyd that resigning from the EFF is equal to resigning from himself because they started the organisation together. He further pointed out that the EFF’s constitution does not allow for members to resign and join another party, then come back, but for Shivambu, he extended an olive branch by offering him to come back home should he wish to at any point because he is a co-founder of the party.
Julius Malema also affirmed that there is no bad blood between them and they will continue to engage in politics and on personal matters.
“Floyd is not the only one, Jimmy Manyi has also resigned to go and join MK, there will be many others who are going to leave the EFF because they have got their loyalty and support to the Deputy President. So fighters on the ground should be prepared for more people to follow and this should not serve as a point of collapse for the EFF,” said Malema.
The Commander in Chief (CIC) called on the members of the EFF to defend the life of the party, he said the party has lived beyond 10 years and they will make sure that it lives forever. Malema said he remains committed to the course of the EFF and that his casket will be draped in an EFF flag. He will remain an EFF member even if he remains alone in the party.
Julius Malema said since the party is heading for an elective conference in December, they will not be electing or replacing the Deputy President, as to do so is to create expectation, then come conference, if they are not elected they will be disappointed.
uMkhonto weSizwe Party has since confirmed that the Comrade Manyi and Shivambu have joined the party and welcomes them. The party said the two will be deployed according to their strengths and expertise. The party says it will be further strengthened by these two individuals.
The MK party has since called on all of its members to rally behind the two leaders and welcome them.
