The recent decision by uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party president Jacob Zuma to strip secretary general Floyd Shivambu of his position and redeploy him to parliament has sent shockwaves through the party. The move comes after Shivambu’s unsanctioned trip to Malawi, where he attended a church service conducted by fugitive Shepherd Bushiri.
According to a statement issued by the party, Zuma consulted with national officials over the weekend before making the decision. The party found Shivambu’s actions to be in breach of its constitution, specifically citing Section 3(j) which prohibits members from undertaking international trips that conflict with the MK party’s agenda.
Shivambu’s visit to Malawi, which was not officially sanctioned by the party, was seen as contradicting the values and principles of MK. The party was also concerned about the implications of his actions on its image and reputation. The decision to remove Shivambu from his position was further fueled by concerns raised by civil society and internal pressure within the party.
Despite Shivambu’s past contributions to building the party’s mobilization structures, tensions had been mounting over his leadership style and decision-making. Some party members accused him of prioritizing personal political interests over the collective good of the party. These tensions came to a head following his trip to Malawi, which was seen as a final act of defiance.
Shivambu will now serve in the National Assembly, a move that is aimed at strengthening the MK party caucus in parliament. This strategic redeployment is seen as a way to bolster the party’s presence in parliament, especially after the recent removal of Mzwanele Manyi as chief whip.
While Zuma acknowledged Shivambu’s past contributions to the party, the decision to redeploy him was made in the best interest of the organization. Shivambu has accepted the decision, and discussions were held with him regarding the redeployment. The party has not yet announced who will replace Shivambu as secretary general.
Overall, this move marks a significant shift in the leadership dynamics within the MK party and highlights the importance of upholding the party’s values and principles. As the party moves forward, it will be interesting to see how Shivambu’s redeployment will impact its operations in parliament and beyond.
