Nhlamulo Ndlela Demands Apology from Floyd Shivambu Over Defamatory Allegations

Natalie Nyathi

Nhlamulo Ndlela, the national spokesperson for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), has formally asked Floyd Shivambu, the former Secretary General of the party, to issue a public apology and retract statements he made during an interview on eNCA on June 23, 2025. In that interview, Shivambu accused Ndlela of being “always on drugs” and “always high on alcohol,” claiming that Ndlela takes pride in lying to MKP President Jacob Zuma.

Ndlela’s legal team, Ndou Inc Attorneys, quickly responded with a letter of demand, stating that Shivambu’s remarks were made with “reckless disregard for their truthfulness.” The letter argues that as a public representative, Shivambu has a responsibility to ensure his statements are accurate and do not harm others unjustly.

The letter outlines several key demands for Shivambu to comply with within 48 hours. These include a public retraction of his statements on his X account, a sincere public apology acknowledging the harm caused, and a request to eNCA to broadcast a correction clarifying that his statements were untrue. Additionally, Shivambu is instructed to stop making any further defamatory comments about Ndlela.

If Shivambu fails to comply, Ndlela is prepared to pursue legal action in the High Court of South Africa, seeking damages for the harm to his reputation and emotional distress.

Ndlela has also countered the allegations by providing negative blood test results, which show he had no drugs in his system. This evidence aims to strengthen his case against Shivambu.

As the situation develops, Ndlela’s demand for an apology highlights the importance of accountability in public statements. The outcome of this dispute could have a lasting impact on the individuals involved and the broader political landscape.