Shivambu Expelled from MK Party Amidst Allegations of Disloyalty

Shivambu Expelled from MK Party Amidst Allegations of Disloyalty

Natalie Nyathi

Floyd Shivambu, the former Secretary-General of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, has been formally expelled following a series of internal conflicts and accusations of plotting against party leadership. The MK Party confirmed the expulsion on Friday, stating that a letter of dismissal had been sent to Shivambu on July 15, 2025.

The decision to expel Shivambu was based on serious violations of party trust and ideological misalignment. Nathi Nhleko, the MK Party Chairperson, explained that the leadership had reviewed Shivambu’s conduct and found that he had “publicly defined himself outside the ranks and ideological line of the MK Party,” breaching the trust placed in him.

Shivambu’s troubles began in June when he was removed from his position as Secretary-General. This action followed a controversial Easter trip to Malawi, where he attended a church service led by fugitive preacher Shepherd Bushiri, who faces serious legal issues in South Africa. This trip raised questions about Shivambu’s judgment and loyalty to the party.

Adding to the tension, Shivambu was accused of plotting to unseat MK Party president Jacob Zuma. While Shivambu has denied these allegations, claiming that the intelligence report used against him was fabricated, the party’s leadership remained firm in their decision.

Initially, after his removal, there were discussions about redeploying Shivambu to Parliament, but that plan never materialized. He was subsequently sidelined, with his name excluded from the party’s parliamentary list.

In response to his expulsion, Shivambu publicly accepted the decision, stating he respects the processes of the MK Party. He expressed this acceptance through a post on his X account, affirming that he would not appeal the decision.

Since his removal, Shivambu has launched the “Mayibuye Consultation Process,” a national campaign aimed at engaging with church leaders and community stakeholders to explore the possibility of forming a new political party called Mayibuye iAfrika. He has criticized both the MK Party and his former party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), as serving the interests of their leaders rather than the people.

The expulsion of Shivambu marks a significant turning point for both him and the MK Party. As Shivambu focuses on building his new political movement, the MK Party leadership, including Jacob Zuma, is determined to maintain its ideological integrity and move forward. The party has already appointed Bongani Mncwango as Shivambu’s replacement, signaling their commitment to stability and continued operation.