Floyd Shivambu’s dramatic resignation from the EFF could significantly weaken the party’s Progressive Caucus influence and effectiveness.
This would be a blow to the future of South Africa’s progressive movements.
Shivambu’s floor-crossing has prompted immediate calls for the caucus to develop rules around the “poaching” of members from one party to another.
This could potentially lead to more defections, further weakening the caucus’ position. To prevent undue influence on members to switch parties and to ensure fair and consistent application of the rules, the caucus should act swiftly.
Shivambu’s defection has sent shock waves rippling through the Progressive Caucus in parliament, an informal oversight body that has been dubbed his brainchild, and which was created to hold the government accountable and advance pro-poor policies.
Shivambu claimed that no EFF fallout influenced his decision but the move looks set to spark chaos and undermine the caucus’ ability to oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of national unity (GNU).
Never one to hold back, EFF president Julius Malema declared that his party anticipated a mass exodus following Shivambu to the MK Party’s more favourable conditions. Malema lamented he could not wait for them to come out in the open instead of adopting some sinister double-parking behaviour.
Pick your side already, he urged aspiring defectors.
He came short of accusing the suspected sleepers of being cowards and said they should take a stand. He also cautioned that their deceit would come to light.
So far, Mzwanele Manyi is the only EFF MP to also jump ship and join the MK Party. His actions have been widely criticised as a betrayal of the EFF.
This week, caucus insiders stated it was now up to MK Party president Jacob Zuma to save the day and move to avoid an implosion in the caucus.
To promote cooperation and stability, Zuma is urged to bring all caucus parties around one table. His intervention is seen as critical to resolving the crisis.
The demise of the caucus would be a danger to democracy and would leave the GNU without any meaningful opposition when it veers off course.
