A photograph from a recent by-election has sparked debate over the strained relationship between South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. The image shows former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who defected to the MK party, in conversation with EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini. However, the visibly hostile expression of EFF MP Sinawo Tambo—directed at Shivambu—has drawn the most attention.
Shivambu’s move to Jacob Zuma’s MK party was seen by many EFF members as a betrayal, particularly after the party’s disappointing electoral performance. Tambo has previously criticized Shivambu’s departure, accusing him of prioritizing personal ambition over ideology—a sentiment seemingly reflected in his demeanor during the encounter.
😂😂😂 this picture kills me, look at how that clown is looking at the MK SG pic.twitter.com/YDYTQImW9L
— Mbongiseni Mbatha (@Mbatha10) May 14, 2025
While Shivambu and Dlamini appeared to engage civilly, Tambo’s refusal to interact with his former colleague highlighted lingering resentment. Observers noted that Tambo deliberately avoided direct engagement, underscoring the deep divisions within the EFF following Shivambu’s exit.
The by-election scene has laid bare the personal and political fractures reshaping South Africa’s opposition landscape. Tambo’s reaction illustrates the difficulty of maintaining professionalism amid internal rivalries, raising questions about whether these tensions will harden into a lasting rift between the two parties.