Five ways Floyd Shivambu’s defection from EFF to MK could harm Malema’s party

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, EFF leader Julius Malema expressed his disappointment at Floyd Shivambu’s departure from the party and his decision to join uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK). He attempted to put on a brave face, calling for the party’s “ground forces” to remain steadfast and saying this was not the end of the road for the EFF.

Shivambu’s departure comes just months after the EFF was dislodged as the third-largest party in South Africa. MK overtook the EFF in the 29 May general election and is now the official opposition in the National Assembly after the DA joined the Government of National Unity.

The EFF deputy president’s departure puts the party in an even tougher position leading up to its elective conference in December and the 2026 local elections.

Here are five reasons:

1. The EFF has lost one of the brains behind the party 

Shivambu was key in drawing up the party’s founding documents — its constitution and seven cardinal pillars.

He has been the EFF’s first and only deputy president since its formation in 2013 and was an important figure in shaping its policy. The popular EFF Students Command was his brainchild and has given the ANC-aligned South African Students Congress a run for its money in universities across the country.

In his role as EFF deputy president, Shivambu was the party’s head of governance and oversaw its strategy in local government. He leaves the party in the lurch just two years before the next local government elections, which are expected to be highly contested.

Shivambu, alongside Malema, led coalition negotiations and his role gave him power to deploy members internally and in government.

As chief whip of the party, he ran the show for the EFF in Parliament.

According to the EFF’s constitution adopted at the second People’s Assembly, the deputy president’s role includes “assisting the President whenever such assistance is required. In the absence of the President, [he will] represent the EFF and represent the EFF at important domestic and international forums…”

2. Shivambu’s close allies could be next

At the press briefing held to announce Shivambu’s departure, Malema said EFF MP Mzwanele Manyi had also tendered his resignation on Monday and was joining MK. He acknowledged that other members would be likely to follow because of their alignment with Shivambu.

The EFF’s head of political education, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, is a close ally of Shivambu and speculation is rife that he will depart.

Daily Maverick understands that the party’s national chairperson, Veronica Mente, and deputy secretary-general, Poppy Mailola, also have strong ties with Shivambu, which could cause rifts among the party’s top brass.

Shivambu also had plenty of support in the Eastern Cape, where he led the party’s election campaign.

3. There’s an EFF leadership vacuum

The party will elect new leadership in December and Malema has said he will stand for re-election. It had been expected that Shivambu would again contest for the deputy president position.

With Shivambu’s resignation, the party will head to its third People’s Assembly without a deputy president, unless the party appoints an interim leader.

Malema has revealed he was blindsided by Shivambu’s decision to leave, which probably means there was no succession plan to replace him.

It will be an extremely tough task for the EFF to find a member who can fill Shivambu’s shoes and also be trusted by the party’s leader.

Many in the party are said to feel alienated because of Malema’s leadership style, which has been described as domineering and harsh.

Read more: ‘We must punish laziness’, Malema threatens EFF leaders who underperformed in elections

Malema has publicly reprimanded leaders of the party, which in some instances has led to them ditching the Red Berets.

It’s been reported that Shivambu tried to mobilise support to contest against Malema at the upcoming conference. This was, however, dismissed by Malema, who said the matter had not even come up in informal talks behind the scenes.

4. Malema has lost one of his most trusted members

Although they have both spoken about their deep working relationship and the brotherly love they have for each other, Malema has not shied away from challenging Shivambu publicly. This has often been characterised as a sign of fractures in their long-standing friendship.

At the party’s 10th-anniversary gala dinner, what started as a tribute to their brotherhood ended in a threat to Malema’s detractors, including Shivambu. The two leaders were removed from the ANC in 2012 which led to the formation of the EFF.

“He [Floyd] has always shown maximum respect to me and always shared his views with me. There has never been a day where I felt Floyd and I will not see each other the following day,” Malema said at the dinner.

“We complement each other. We are not in competition with each other. I have made it clear to Floyd, the day you get tired of me, don’t go and organise against me, just tell me, ‘I think you have served your term, it is time to go.’ ”

Read more: ‘Ruthless’ Malema warns EFF members against betrayal at 10-year celebration gala dinner

The two have been embroiled in several controversies.

In his explosive affidavit, the former chairman of VBS Mutual Bank, Tshifhiwa Matodzi, stated that Malema and Shivambu were paid off not to use the EFF’s political muscle against the financial institution.

According to Daily Maverick’s Pauli van Wyk, Malema and Shivambu claimed some of the millions they got from VBS were for the party’s benefit, while the facts show that they used almost all the money to enrich themselves.

Read more: Ex-VBS chair lifts the lid on how Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu grabbed R16.1m from dying bank

5. Shivambu could help address MK’s turbulence which would harm the EFF

Former president Jacob Zuma’s MK party stands to benefit from the EFF’s woes.

The party garnered 14% of the national vote in the 29 May election and has the most support in KwaZulu-Natal. But its path forward has been turbulent, with the party not having leaders with sufficient political muscle to steer the ship.

The MK party’s manifesto launch this year was held at the Orlando Stadium, which was filled to capacity. The party has since struggled to articulate what it stands for.

With his experience of 11 years in the EFF, Shivambu can assist MK in shaping its policy and developing a working party constitution.

Read more: Zuma’s MK party ousts 15 MPs in rapid shake-up, sparking allegations of cronyism

It has been rumoured that Shivambu could be MK’s next secretary-general, a role which would see him handle the party’s administration. MK booted out its secretary-general, Arthur Zwane, last month for a second time, meaning the job is open.

If appointed, Shivambu will be tasked with building the party’s structures, especially its branches, and being a prominent figure, will relay its objectives to the public.

Shivambu has, however, been criticised for weaknesses when it comes to groundwork. He was deployed to KZN to canvas for the EFF in the 29 May elections, but was unable to gain traction. Malema then recalled Shivambu and replaced him with the party’s secretary-general, Marshall Dlamini. DM