After calling EFF leader Julius Malema “stupid” and accusing him of sacrificing former deputy president Floyd Shivambu for political survival, prominent South African commentator Ngizwe Mchunu re-incidentally aggravated tensions between the two on Tuesday.
The explosive remarks were delivered by Mchunu just before his court appearance in Pretoria, where legal processes involving his contentious comments regarding Malema are ongoing.
While addressing the media and supporters outside of court, Mchunu was frank in his criticism of the EFF leadership.
Julius Malema is a complete moron. Spectators outside the courthouse reacted to Mchunu’s declaration that Floyd Shivambu had been sacrificed.
The comments are made in the midst of increasing political discussion about Shivambu’s recent affiliation with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and his exit from the EFF. Speculation regarding Shivambu’s departure has persisted on social media among political experts and fans; some have even suggested that the party was deeply divided.
Mchunu has become embroiled in a highly publicised legal and political dispute after his public clashes with Malema in the past several weeks. With the ongoing court proceedings over alleged defamatory remarks, his fresh comments are expected to further inflame tensions between himself and the EFF leadership.
This case comes after Mchunu made comments critical of Malema in the past, prompting the EFF leader to seek legal recourse. Since then, the public’s focus has shifted to the conflict, with advocates on both sides arguing about party loyalty, free speech, and internal party dynamics.
At the same time, responses to Mchunu’s most recent remarks have started making the rounds on social media; some have defended his criticism, while others have accused him of seeking attention by inflaming political animosity.
By the time this story came out, neither Malema nor Shivambu had addressed Mchunu’s most recent comments.
As competing party formations and erstwhile partners grow increasingly angry in the lead-up to future elections in South Africa, the continuing fallout remains the focal point of political discourse in the country.