Cape Town – Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has reportedly criticised former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu’s decision to join the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, calling it “opportunistic”.
According to EWN, Steenhuisen expressed concerns about Shivambu’s departure from the EFF, suggesting it indicates the party’s inability to govern.
He also questioned Shivambu’s choice to align with a party linked to individuals accused of state capture, dismissing the move as an unprincipled attempt to gain power rather than a genuine political realignment.
“It has nothing to do with a pragmatic realignment. It is an opportunistic realignment of the forces of people who want to loot the State,” the report quoted Steenhuisen as saying.
Last week, Floyd Shivambu unexpectedly announced his resignation from the EFF and aligned himself with Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
This move has stirred significant attention in political circles, given Shivambu’s prominent role within the EFF.
In their official statement, the MK Party revealed that Shivambu, alongside Mzwanele Manyi, will be transitioning into roles specifically crafted to leverage their individual skills and political experience. The party expressed its enthusiasm for welcoming these seasoned political figures, emphasising the strategic importance of their appointments in strengthening the party’s leadership and advancing its objectives.
ANC chairperson and Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, also remarked on the recent developments within the EFF, emphasising that his party should take note of Floyd Shivambu’s resignation.
Speaking at an ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) Lekgotla, Lesufi highlighted the importance of learning from Shivambu’s sudden departure from the EFF, as reported by SABC News . He noted that political parties can draw valuable lessons on managing youth within their ranks from this event.
Panyaza Lesufi on what Caused floyd Shivambu Exit from the EFF, also Calls out ANC Members pic.twitter.com/rjguTOTfpS
— L tee Celeb Times (@DzuvhaC) August 18, 2024
Lesufi also emphasised the need for a generational balance within parties, warning that internal conflicts can lead to a party’s downfall. He urged the ANC to adopt this approach, suggesting that senior leaders should be involved when disputes arise to help maintain stability.
He also stressed that the ANC must evolve to avoid the risk of losing relevance, and he called for the party to accept the outcomes of the previous election and focus on rebuilding for the future.
“We either adapt or we perish, we either adapt or we die. We either adapt or we close shop. And comrades it is not going to assist anyone to finger point and say this province has made us lose, all of us average as a country we have achieved 40% and that’s a loss and we think of ourselves and rise and rebuild this movement because there is no other movement for us except the ANC,” he said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@jsteenhuisen
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
