The trigger-happy MKP President Jacob Zuma has done it again, this time removing Floyd Shivambu as the driver of the party’s engine room as secretary-general.
Many might act surprised, but those who follow simple political logic and recent history might tell you that the writing was on the wall.
Shivambu, at least according to publicly stated reasons, was “redeployed”, as he is now heading to parliament following his unsanctioned visit to Malawi over the Easter weekend this year.
Shepherd Bushiri visit
During his stay in Malawi, Shivambu had visited controversial and criminal fugitive Pastor Shepherd Bushiri’s church, which was beamed on the internet in videos and pictures.
The removal did not come as a surprise to Shivambu, who without success last week embarked on a desperate PR process in attempts to change Zuma’s mind.
Those in Nkandla’s most famous homestead that this scribe speak to say since the infamous visit to Malawi, Shivambu’s direct line to Zuma got cut.
It was then that it became obvious that his days were numbered.
In fact, it is said that Shivambu should have been removed right there and then upon his return from Malawi.
But Zuma was apparently worried about what removing another secretary-general would do to the image of the party, least of all a popular one of Shivambu’s stature.
Aware that what had befallen many was also coming for him, Shivambu engaged in strange yet carefully calculated media interviews on his part last week, discussing “one-year since 2024 elections”.
Where on earth have you ever heard that, it was obvious from that that the man was on a different mission.
Media interviews
During the interview with Ziyanda Ngcobo of Newzroom Afrika, Shivambu hinted, at least to those with ears, that the dreaded axe was hovering over his head.
He was waxing lyrical about how he did not join the MKP for positions. And he added that he would remain in the Gwaza ranks even if as an ordinary member.
Well, talk about a clever attempt at painting yourself humble to change the mind of Zuma.
But what is more interesting, and perhaps a topic for another day on its own, is why Shivambu, during the same interview, lied about the same Malawi trip that has now gotten him removed.
In the interview, Shivambu said Zuma knew about his travel to Malawi and that he was meeting likeminded political leaders of that country who sympathise with the MKP cause.
It is either Shivambu lied during the media interview or that the MKP national officials, led by Zuma, asked him to take the fall for the greater good.
This scribe is willing to put his money on the former.
Shivambu might have been economical with the truth hoping that Zuma, feeling implicated in the Bushiri saga, might reverse the decision to remove him as secretary-general.
During the same week, Shivambu had done another media interview with the SABC’s political editor Mzwandile Mbeje.
Attempt to sway Zuma
It appears the man might have underestimated Zuma’s resolve once he has taken a stand on a matter, wrong or right.
Doing a media tour was never going to convince Zuma otherwise.
Shivambu’s removal mark what is now becoming his dramatic political career.
He joined MKP less than a year ago from the EFF, where he was deputy president for two terms.
Not long after he defected from the red berets brigade, he rose to the MKP position of National Organiser.
Before he could barely settle down, he was elevated to the all-powerful position for secretary-general. This placed him at the centre of the organisation’s day-to-day operations.
But since his rise to that post, having jumped the queue of all the millions of MKP loyalists who were with the party from formation, he had never known peace.
He was accused, weekly, of being a chronic factionalist who was dividing the MKP structures, with random calls for his head a normal occurrence among the rank and file.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla
The offensive reached climax when Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, famously had a late-night Twitter outburst dragging Shivambu for filth.
From that point, it had become evident that Shivambu’s days were numbered, for Zuma-Sambudla is Zuma’s closest confidante.
To save face, the organisation issued a half-hearted reprimand and forced Zuma-Sambudla to issue a public apology – which itself was luke warm.
But just like Zuma-Sambudla, MKP’s first ever local government councillor, Thabiso Molefe from Rustenburg Local Municipality, also descended on Shivambu like a ton of the proverbial bricks on social media.
At this point, it had become clear that Shivambu had lost the confidence not only of naught rank and file members, but of those in leadership positions as well.
Shivambu was also blamed for capping the MKP Youth League participation age-limit at 30 years of age in an apparent political manoeuvre to block controversial Bonginkosi Khanyile from emerging.
His reshuffle to parliament is not gonna make his life any easier, for that is another section of the MKP without stability — with its third chief whip in less than a year.
Mzwanele Manyi
Just last week, Mzwanele Manyi was removed unceremoniously as chief whip in favour of Colleen Makhubele.
It will also be interesting to watch how Shivambu will relate and gel with MKP caucus leader Dr John Hlophe, who apparently felt Shivambu set him up with a weak speech during the SONA debate this year.
Also, Shivambu is used to be in that space as the one giving instructions, having been EFF chief whip from 2014 until he left.
Some might argue that the demotion is the beginning of the end for Shivambu at MKP, but others will say it was a much-needed humbling experience.
Whatever happens next, only time will tell.
But a sharp mind like Shivambu is bound to be a key player in our body politic for a very long time.
