EFF leader Julius Malema is expecting more members to leave the party after the resignation of his deputy Floyd Shivambu who has now joined the MK party.
The EFF leadership announced Shivambu’s exit during an emotional media briefing at its Winnie Madikizela House headquarters in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Malema explained how he was hurt by his “brother” Floyd’s decision and said the red berets should expect more to follow.
“Fighters on the ground SHOULD BE PREPARED for more people to follow, and this could not serve as a point of collapse for the EFF. Floyd [Shivambu] is NOT the only one. Jimmy Manyi has also resigned to go and join MK. There will be many others who are going to leave the EFF because they have got their loyalty and support to the Deputy President,” he said.
Malema said he did not anticipate the decisions and expressed and likened his pain to the agony of losing his mother.
“When he sent me a letter yesterday, I felt the same pain, when I received the news of the passing away of my Mother,” said an emotional Malema professing to never treat Shivambu as an enemy.
Malema said while the EFF constitution does not allow members who resign to join other parties to be re-admitted, an exception is being made for Shivambu who has been his right-hand man for many years dating from their days in the ANC Youth League.
“The Constitution of the EFF DOES NOT allow people to resign and join other Political parties, and come back to the Party. BUT I HAVE MADE THIS OFFER TO FLOYD, that the day you decide to come back, YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME,” he said.
Jimmy Manyi has also left the EFF and joined MK party and was expected to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament for the Jacob Zuma-led party.
Manyi was already serving as Zuma’s private spokesperson when he joined the EFF and continues in the role.
Others who were reported to be leaving the EFF are struggle veteran Carl Niehaus and former Public Protector Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane but they have both dismissed the reports and pledged loyalty to party leader Julius Malema.
Shivambu said there was no bad feelings between him and Malema and that he was not promised a position in MK.