By Johnathan Paoli
Former uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has announced a national consultation process to determine the potential formation of a new political movement.
And despite critiquing internal party politics, he has declared his unwavering respect for former MKP leader Jacob Zuma.
In a press briefing at the Mhulu Luxury Boutique Hotel in Midrand on Thursday, Shivambu sought to “clarify distortions” following his removal as secretary-general by the MKP leadership earlier in the month.
This followed a visit to the church of fugitive pastor and self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi over the Easter weekend.
“There was a fake report claiming I use money and magic to make people disappear. I reject it with contempt. These reports were manufactured by political scoundrels who misuse Zuma’s kindness to manipulate him,” he said.
He added that a second report accused him of planning to use Parliament as a platform to undermine MKP leadership, allegedly with funding from Stellenbosch elites.
Instead, Shivambu claimed that R7 million was being withdrawn from MK Party coffers every month without accountability.
“We raised it internally: stop what you are doing, because you are going to get the party deregistered as a political party. There is no sound reason for what has been happening,” he warned, suggesting that ongoing financial mismanagement threatened the party’s legal standing and long-term credibility.
Despite his demotion, he expressed deep respect for Zuma, stating that he learned more about “real politics” in six months at MKP than in 10 years with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
He emphasised that he has not resigned from the MKP and has no intention of doing so.
Shivambu insisted that he was not forming a breakaway party. Instead, he was launching a national consultation process to explore whether South Africans wanted a new political movement.
“We’re going to meet traditional leaders, religious figures, prominent South Africans like Patrice Motsepe and citizens from every province,” he said.
The ultimate goal was to listen to the people of the country.
“If the people say do not form a party, we will humbly accept that. But if they say yes, we will create a party built on principle, not cults, families, or tribal identities,” he said.
Shivambu was critical of existing political alternatives.
“I will never return to the ANC, it collaborates with the white establishment. And I won’t rejoin the EFF, it has become a cult. No self-respecting activist should go back to either,” he said.
Shivambu also took the opportunity to honour the spirit of 16 June, Youth Day, stressing that the struggle of African people was far from over.
He portrayed himself as “a servant of the people”, committed to principle over political convenience.
When asked whether he regretted leaving the EFF, he replied that he never wanted to destabilise the party, which was why he left. He also said he had never attended a factional meeting in his life.
Asked about MKP potentially expelling him, Shivambu said: “Let them. I do not beg for political membership. I will continue the work with or without a title. Without a position, my voice will be amplified.”
Next week, his team will unveil the leadership structure of the consultation process and outline its national itinerary.
“This is not about me. It’s about whether South Africa needs a new political vision, and if so, what it must look like,” he said.
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