South Africa’s political arena has been rocked by explosive but unsubstantiated claims that former uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu is plotting a military coup against the government. The allegations, circulating without credible evidence or confirmation from Shivambu himself, have ignited fierce debate about their origins and credibility.
The rumors gained traction after social media posts accused Shivambu of planning to overthrow the state by force. However, political analysts and security experts have dismissed these claims as highly improbable, noting Shivambu’s complete lack of military ties and his current focus on democratic processes through his newly-launched Mayibuye Consultation initiative.
“This smells like political sabotage,” said University of Pretoria political analyst Professor Sipho Dube. “To suggest an academic-turned-politician with no armed following could stage a coup stretches all credibility. These appear to be malicious rumors aimed at destabilizing his new political project.”
Shivambu, who was dismissed from MKP in June 2025 following internal disputes, has built his career on radical economic transformation rhetoric but within constitutional frameworks. His recent public engagements have focused on forming a new political party, not extra-constitutional action.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has not commented on the allegations, while the State Security Agency indicates no evidence of any coup threat. Legal experts warn that spreading unverified claims of treason could itself constitute a criminal offense.
As the story continues circulating online, it highlights growing concerns about political disinformation in South Africa’s volatile pre-election climate. With Shivambu yet to publicly address the claims, the saga underscores how easily unfounded allegations can hijack national discourse.
Political observers urge caution, noting that similar rumors have historically been used to target opposition figures across the continent. “We must distinguish between genuine security concerns and political smear campaigns,” cautioned civil society group Right2Know. “Democracy suffers when we entertain baseless conspiracy theories.”
The Presidency has declined to comment on what it termed “social media gossip,” while opposition parties have called for an investigation into the source of the allegations. As the 2026 elections approach, this incident raises troubling questions about the weaponization of misinformation in South African politics.
