Supporters of Floyd Shivambu from his home province, Limpopo, are expected to switch their allegiance from the EFF to the MK Party (MKP), which has announced him as its national organiser.
Shivambu resigned as EFF deputy president to join MKP and insiders this week told Sunday World that a faction of the party aligned to him was no longer interested in remaining in the party he has ditched.
Shivambu’s resignation came amid a cloud of mistrust among the fighters, leaving the Winnie Madikizela Mandela House in shock.
Following Shivambu’s announcement as the MKP’s national organiser on Thursday, some EFF branch leaders in Limpopo took to social media with messages of congratulations.
“Congratulations to our national organiser of MKP. Let them continue casting aspersions… They are still hurt. Gwaza Mkhonto,” wrote Pandelani Baloyi, a former EFF branch chairperson in Malamulele in the Vhembe district.
Another figure in the Mopani region, Brenda Mathebula, is said to have left the party to join MKP.
Lulamile Jack of the MKP in Limpopo said “we are definitely going to capitalise on the status quo in the EFF”.
“I cannot divulge the [identity of the] EFF members who have shown interest in our movement. However, since we want to grow our movement in all provinces, EFF members are welcome”.
The decline and decay of the EFF happen against the backdrop of a fraught recruitment drive in Limpopo.
EFF provincial spokesperson Jacob Lebogo said the party’s campaign comes during a period wherein dozens of members renewed their memberships.
“The growth of the organisation is informed by the quality leadership we have in the president and commander-in-chief (CIC), Julius Malema. In him, an African child will realise all their dreams.
“Our CIC is the only president who positively intervenes directly in the plight of our people. Our revolutionary journey is with our communities, not individuals.”
However, Jossey Buthane, a former EFF Limpopo leader who left the EFF to rejoin the ANC, fingered Malema as the root cause of the decline.
He told Sunday World Malema saw himself as “the most intelligent political leader” who operates with impunity.
Buthane, who was Malema’s childhood ally and neighbour in Seshego township, near Polokwane, said they were no longer on speaking terms.
“Julius is a dictator, and no one who is intelligent enough can tolerate him.
“He is used to bossing people around and doesn’t take advice from anyone.”
He said the resignations of Shivambu, Jimmy Manyi and Sizwe Nkosi, the deputy branch secretary in Chief Albert Luthuli in Mpumalanga, was just the tip of the iceberg.
“Many people have been raising their displeasure with Julius and his lack of calculation after Floyd’s resignation will see many members leaving the party.”
A total lie, we as the EFF ground forces are going nowhere. The EFF is our home but dream on.