The internal dynamics of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have once again come under scrutiny following unfiltered comments made by Sinawo Thambo, the party’s national spokesperson. A public exchange between Thambo and Floyd Shivambu, the EFF’s deputy president, has sparked debate, with Thambo dismissing the matter as a personal issue.
During a candid radio interview on Wednesday evening, Thambo was asked whether tensions existed between him and Shivambu. His response was blunt: “I am more than willing to accompany him to the gutter if he needs to go there. To put it plainly, I have no interest in him—he is not the kind of man I can relate to.”
The remarks have fueled discussions about potential divisions within the EFF’s leadership, particularly given the party’s history of strict messaging and centralized communication control. Public admissions of discord among senior leaders are rare, making Thambo’s comments particularly notable.
Known for his outspoken and impassioned rhetoric, Thambo appeared unconcerned about the potential fallout from his words. He concluded by stating, “I stand by what I said. Just because we are in the same organization does not mean I have to pretend there is camaraderie when there isn’t.”
Sinawo Thambo speaks on his ‘personal beef’ with Floyd Shivambu: 🫢
“If he wants to go to the gutter I can go to the gutter too, but I couldn’t care less about him.—he’s not a relatable guy,” 🥹 pic.twitter.com/xKEmEjrWjr
— YaseBlock B 🇸🇿 (@ThisIsColbert) May 15, 2025
Anonymous sources within the party revealed that tensions between Thambo and Shivambu have been simmering behind the scenes for some time, linked to differences in approach, personality clashes, and competing influence over the party’s communication strategies.
While the EFF leadership has yet to issue an official response, political analysts suggest that the public nature of the dispute is significant. Ongama Mtimka, a political analyst, warned that unchecked internal conflict could harm the EFF’s unity and public image, especially as the party seeks to expand its support base.
Meanwhile, divisions persist among EFF members, with some calling for disciplinary action against Thambo for breaching internal protocols, while others argue the party should address underlying issues rather than suppress them.
The question remains whether this public fallout will be resolved internally or if it signals deeper divisions within the party. The incident comes as the EFF prepares for upcoming policy discussions and national engagements.
At the time of publication, neither Floyd Shivambu nor Julius Malema had publicly commented on the matter.