Shivambu’s demotion unsurprising for some analysts

Political analyst, Lesego More, says he is not surprised to learn of Floyd Shivambu’s demotion as the signs have always been evident.

More links this to the tensions between him and Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.

His remarks followed the MK Party’s (MKP) announcement that Shivambu will no longer serve as the party’s secretary-general. He has now been assigned to Parliament.

This change comes less than a year after he was appointed to the position.

Shivambu’s demotion follows his recent visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri’s church in Malawi, which breached the organisation’s constitution.

He has since apologised for the trip, despite insinuating that party leader, Jacob Zuma, was aware of the trip in a recent television interview with Newzroom Afrika.

Floyd Shivambu removed as MK Party Secretary-General after controversial Malawi trip

The Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has removed Floyd Shivambu as its secretary-general following an unauthorized trip to Malawi, where he met with controversial pastor Shepherd Bushiri during the… pic.twitter.com/KgQsv8OLVA

— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) June 3, 2025

It also came at least four months after party leader, Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile, criticised him on social media, calling the 42-year-old useless.

Zuma-Sambudla later apologised after the party ordered her to do so or face expulsion.

According to More, the public dispute revealed that some party members held unfavourable opinions of the former EFF Deputy President.

He suggests that Shivambu’s trip to Bushiri’s church, given the self-proclaimed prophet’s status as a known fugitive, made him a target for party colleagues, who had grievances against him.

The political analyst believes Shivambu is currently facing a huge character test.

Political analyst from Unisa, Professor Dirk Kotzé, believes that Shivambu is not strong enough for the power contestations that continuously play out within the MK Party.

There’s mixed views on social media over the demotion, with some users throwing their weight behind Shivambu.

We the voters want Floyd Shivambu as our SG cela nigasidakelwa bandla pic.twitter.com/GfOyhY5gZY

— EzemveloZulu (@MveloZulu88) June 3, 2025

I am slowly starting to understand why EFF members don’t want to unite with MK Party Members.

They don’t want to be used and thrown away like a used condom like how we have witnessed Floyd Shivambu experiencing today.

<<Unpopular opinion >> pic.twitter.com/4wppBT6VwF

— ツ Oracle (@Oracle5152) June 3, 2025

Duduzile Zuma celebrating the removal of Floyd Shivambu 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/kdRw7vxxUi

— Sir Cabonena Alfred (@Lebona_cabonena) June 3, 2025

We feel your pain, Floyd Shivambu.
We know that, deep down, this decision must be deeply painful for you. As one of those who served with you in the ANCYL 2008 generation, I say this without fear of contradiction: we will never desert you.

It was our generation that boldly… pic.twitter.com/11ZHZwTWaX

— Andile Lungisa (@mrlungisa) June 3, 2025