Despite speculation, former secretary-general Floyd Shivambu does not currently appear on the MK Party’s list of parliamentary candidates—unless the party revises its list and removes certain existing names.
On Wednesday morning, the MK Party, before their media briefing, confirmed that Shivambu’s name has not yet been submitted for parliamentary consideration.
This comes weeks after Shivambu was demoted from his position as the party secretary-general following his unsanctioned visit to Shepard Bushiri’s church.
Speaking to , MKP spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said they were busy with the process of ensuring that the parliamentary list was submitted.
Ndhlela dismissed claims that Shivambu was not on the list intentionally but rather because they had to follow the parliamentary process.
“We are trying to fast-track this process with the speaker. We are amending the list of people who should be in parliament at the moment,” he said.
When the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) opens the first window for candidate list modifications, which is set for June 6 to 12, his name is anticipated to be on it.
However, sources within the MK party have informed that there is significant debate surrounding Shivambu’s redeployment to parliament, with some members expressing their opposition to the move.
“A lot of comrades are uncomfortable working with him after the unnecessary changes he implemented shortly after being appointed as the secretary-general,” said one source.
“However, Zuma was kind enough to insist he is assigned to parliament because many comrades wanted him removed from the organisation.”
Another source mentioned that even if Shivambu were to go to parliament, he is unlikely to last long, as those in influential positions view him as a threat.
“Shivambu was aware of all the risks when he was appointed, and some influential figures did not take kindly to that,” the source said.
Other officials have welcomed the demotion of Shivambu and his redeployment to parliament.
Although some people were “relieved” that the party’s leader had been appointed, several insiders warned that his tense ties with senior members might make him less effective in Parliament.
The party is getting ready to rearrange its list of parliamentary candidates at the same time as this event.
Since Shivambu had previously been on the list of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) before defecting to MK, he was not included in the MKP list for the general elections in May 2024.
Meanwhile, other party members argued that Shivambu’s demotion would be the end of him.
Politics
