MK Party Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu has dismissed claims that his party is trying to weaken the EFF but suggested it could successfully recruit EFF members if it wanted to. His remarks drew a sharp response from EFF leader Julius Malema, who dismissed the comments as “rubbish.”
In an interview with the SABC, Shivambu clarified that he voluntarily joined the MK Party and was not recruited. He stated that while the MK Party has no intention of dismantling the EFF, it could attract EFF leaders if it chose to.
“I took the decision to join the MK Party; I was not recruited. I approached them to become an ordinary member,” Shivambu said. “No one is destroying the EFF. If we wanted to, we could successfully recruit EFF members, including national officials, provincial, and regional leaders. Many of them understood our reasoning when we discussed it before joining MK.”
However, he emphasized that the MK Party’s goal is to unite progressive forces rather than engage in political sabotage.
Malema swiftly dismissed Shivambu’s remarks, calling them “rubbish.” The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the two parties, particularly after Shivambu’s unexpected departure from the EFF in August 2023.
Malema Rules Out Alliance with MK Party
Earlier this year, the MK Party and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) announced a collaboration to unite progressive forces. This followed claims by DA leader John Steenhuisen that his party and the ANC were working together to block the MK Party and EFF from gaining power.
Despite calls for an EFF-MK alliance, Malema has repeatedly rejected the idea. The two parties remain at odds, with Shivambu and Malema exchanging barbs since their political split.
The public clash underscores the deepening divisions within South Africa’s opposition landscape as parties position themselves ahead of future elections.