The now former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu has announced that he will join former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party.

Shivambu officially announced his resignation from the Economic Freedom Fighters on Thursday morning at an urgent EFF press conference in Marshalltown. This comes after Shivambu co-founded the Red Berettes 11 years ago.

During a press conference, EFF president Julius Malema said he was devastated when he learnt that Shivambu did not renew his membership with the party and was not aware that he would make this move.

MALEMA: When he sent me a letter yesterday, I felt the same pain, when I received the news of the passing away of my Mother…#EFFPresser

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 15, 2024

Malema has stated that several other members of the EFF, who are loyal and in alliance with Shivambu, will (with time) likely also move to the uMkhonto weSizwe party.

“Floyd [Shivambu] is NOT the only one. Jimmy Manyi has also resigned to go and join MK. There will be many others who are going to leave the EFF because they have got their loyalty and support to the Deputy President.”

When asked by media attendees which other party members would join the MK Party, Malema said that he could not provide a list of who would be joining as he was unaware of the deputy president’s exit.

Malema added that the Constitution of the EFF does not allow members to resign and join other Political parties, and then return back to the red berrets. The party leader has however made an offer to Shivambu that if he decides to return to the party, he will be welcomed back.

After enquiring him about the reasons for his exit from the EFF, Shivambu said he will not talk about the MK Party while at an EFF press conference. The exact reasons for the non-renewal of his membership are still unknown at this stage.

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