Fikile Mbalula, the ANC’s secretary-general, has cast a new light on the ongoing tension between Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, and his former right-hand man, Floyd Shivambu.
Mbalula has dismissed the publicized feud between the two as nothing more than a “fiction.”
A Political Alliance Turned Sour
Malema and Shivambu were inseparable when they co-founded the EFF back in 2013, and their bond seemed to extend beyond politics.
However, their once-close relationship hit a major bump when Shivambu made a surprising move late last year, leaving the EFF to join Jacob Zuma’s MK Party.
He wasn’t alone in his departure—Advocate Dali Mpofu and several other prominent figures followed suit.
While the split was heavily publicized and discussed, Mbalula believes it’s all part of a larger political strategy, rather than a genuine personal fallout.
According to Mbalula, there’s much more to the story than meets the eye.
Mbalula’s Take on the Feud
In a candid statement, Mbalula suggested that the apparent feud between the two EFF leaders was just a show. “That’s a movie we’re being subjected to,” he said.
“The fight between Floyd and Julius? It’s not real—it’s fiction. These people are buddies. Floyd has been sent to manage Zuma in the MK Party, alongside Dali Mpofu.”
Mbalula further emphasized that the bond between Malema and Shivambu runs deep, particularly in their shared animosity towards the ANC.
“Malema hates the ANC with a passion, and him and Floyd combined… well, that’s the bigger picture,” Mbalula explained.
Shivambu’s Take: Not Exactly Friends
When the topic came up during a podcast interview with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, Shivambu was asked about the state of his relationship with Malema.
The response was clear: the two were never as close as people may have thought.
Shivambu explained that their bond was always political in nature, and at times, their so-called “brotherhood” felt more like a “gangsterism relationship.”
He stressed that in such relationships, one can’t hold the other accountable, and defending each other’s actions, right or wrong, became the norm.
“If one person is wrong, you can’t call each other to order.
You defend each other even if one is doing wrong things,” he remarked.
The Political Game: A Power Struggle?
So, what’s really happening between Malema and Shivambu? Are they genuinely at odds, or is this just part of a bigger political game?
It’s clear that their relationship is much more complex than what’s visible on the surface, leaving many to wonder if the entire feud is a calculated move.
Do you think the animosity between the two leaders is real, or are they just playing their part in the political theater? Share your thoughts in the comments or via WhatsApp.