In a startling political accusation, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has suggested that EFF leader Julius Malema and former EFF deputy Floyd Shivambu may still be secretly directing former President Jacob Zuma—implying their public split was an elaborate ruse.
Mbalula floated the theory during a report on ANC discussions about the government of national unity, where he criticized the EFF for aligning with the DA to oppose the national budget. He argued that the bitter fallout between Malema and Shivambu—who left the EFF to become secretary-general of Zuma’s MK Party—could be a carefully staged act.
“Malema hates the ANC with a passion—him and Floyd combined,” Mbalula said, hinting that their alliance with Zuma’s MK Party might be a strategic maneuver rather than a genuine political shift.
The MK Party, formed less than a year ago, stunned South African politics by outperforming the EFF in the recent elections, becoming the official opposition and relegating Malema’s party to fourth place. This dealt a significant blow to Malema’s long-standing presidential ambitions.
Further fueling speculation, several high-profile EFF members defected to the MK Party, raising questions about whether the rivalry between the two parties is as deep as it appears—or if there is a hidden coordination at play.
Mbalula’s explosive claim adds another layer of intrigue to South Africa’s volatile political landscape. If true, it would mean Zuma’s MK Party, the EFF, and their public clashes are part of a calculated strategy to weaken the ANC. However, without concrete evidence, the theory remains speculative—yet another twist in the country’s ever-unfolding political drama.
As tensions rise ahead of key policy battles, one thing is certain: in South African politics, alliances and betrayals are never quite what they seem.