Floyd Shivambu announced on Thursday that he had resigned from the Economic Freedom Fighters and would join former President Jacob Zuma’s MK Party.
Shivambu, backed by Julius Malema and other EFF officials, read his resignation letter and reaffirmed his decision to join the MK Party.
On Wednesday, Shivambu submitted a letter to party head Julius Malema telling him of his resignation.
On Thursday, the press briefing took place at the EFF’s headquarters, Winnie Madikizela Mandela House, in Johannesburg.
At the briefing, Shivambu stated that he will not renew his membership in the EFF and sought to be relieved of all party tasks, including his position as a member of parliament.
He stated that leaving the EFF should not be seen as a loss of confidence in the party.
“My none renewal of the EFF membership is not a vote of no confidence in the organisation but a revolutionary act that will allow progressive forces to unite and work towards the agenda,” he tweeted.
Malema welcomed Shivambu’s resignation because “to me he is not just a comrade, he is a brother, and he will remain a brother even when he pursues his political career differently.”
“The EFF’s constitution prohibits members from resigning and joining other political parties before returning to the party.
“But I have made this offer to Shivambu that the day you decide to come back, you are more than welcome,” he told her.
He reiterated that the deputy president job will not be filled until the conference in December.
However, according to these sources, Shivambu wants the EFF’s leader, Julius Malema, to accept the decision.
It is claimed that issues, notably the VBS scandal, have rattled the EFF in the aftermath of the May general elections, in which the party was unable to increase its support.
An “urgent press conference” with party officials is set on Thursday.
According to insiders, here is where the EFF will reveal the “radical leadership changes”.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leaders Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu have been in the media spotlight following allegations that they profited financially from the VBS mutual bank scandal.
The two are accused of corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
This comes after Tshifhiwa Matodzi, the bank’s chair, said Malema and Shivambu were involved in taking unlawful bank advantages.
Matodzi pleaded convicted to 33 counts, including corruption, theft, and money laundering. He said that the EFF has received monthly donations and a so-called business loan of millions of rands from the bank since 2017 via a front company called Sgameka Projects.
According to Matodzi’s charges, the EFF accepted the money as a bribe, with Malema and Shivambu particularly benefiting personally.
Many low-income Limpopo depositors were impacted when more than R2 billion was plundered from VBS.
