Founding member and second in command of the Economic Freedom Fighters Floyed Shivambu announced during an urgent press brief that he has resigned from the red beret to join Jacob Zumas MK party. More EFF members are expected to follow. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is facing a mass exodus moment as more members are expected to leave the organisation to join MK Party following Floyd Shivambu’s departure from the party.
Speaking with Saturday Star on Friday political analyst Andre Duvenage said the departure of EFF’s deputy President Floyd Shivambu was the first big crisis for the organisation.
Duvenage said Shivambu’s departure was fuelled by the reconfiguration of the political spectrum post 2024 elections.
“The conflict between Julius Malema and Floyd came over a long time and it was prominent in the media prior the national elections. This is a significant change for the EFF in that not only Floyd will leave, many others will, including Jimmy Manyi,” political analyst said.
Duvenage continued to said there was no doubt that Shivambu’s move was imminent saying that the VBS scandal also played a major role in his decision.
“From Floyd’s point of view he can save guard himself better within the framework of the MK Party, we have seen MK deploying a lot of people who have been accused for involvement in terms of state capture corruption”.
He further said the elephant in the room was the VBS bank scandal saying the involvement of Floyd’s brother was directly implicated in the corruption.
Duvenage, however, said Floyd’s move to the MK Party would significantly benefit the organisation in terms of support base specific outside KZN.
During the EFF’s 10th anniversary gala dinner, last year, Julius Malema said Shivambu should one day be wary of his leadership, and he needed to play open cards with the red berets’ president.
“The problem starts when you start organising against me and I hear it in the corners. I am very ruthless,” Malema said.
Furthermore, he cautioned leaders in the party against conspiring behind his back - including Shivambu.
The pair have a long history, stemming from their African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) days.
Last month, former VBS chair Tshifhiwa Matodzi implicated Shivambu and Malema in dodgy dealings in a 77-page affidavit, claiming they were paid a lump sum of R5 million and received R1 million monthly at the behest of Matodzi in exchange for not speaking badly about the bank during public engagements.
Following Matodzi's explosive claims, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) instructed the director of public prosecutions in Pretoria to work with the Hawks in tracking down who leaked the high-profile witness statement.
The bank's former chair, who entered into a deal with prosecuting authorities, received an effective 15 years in jail for pleading guilty.
Saturday Star
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